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<title>King Richard III</title>

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<section id="preamble">

<h1>The Tragedy of Richard the Third</h1>

<section id="dramatis-personae"><h2>Dramatis Personae</h2>

<ol class="persona-group">
  <li>KING EDWARD The Fourth</li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group" data-description="sons to the King.">
  <li>EDWARD, Prince of Wales, afterwards King Edward V.</li>
  <li>RICHARD, Duke of York</li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group" data-description="brothers to the King.">
  <li>GEORGE, Duke of Clarence</li>
  <li>RICHARD, Duke of Gloucester, afterwards King Richard III.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group">
  <li>A young son of Clarence. </li>
  <li>HENRY, Earl of Richmond, afterwards King Henry VII.</li>
  <li>CARDINAL BOURCHIER, Archbishop of Canterbury. </li>
  <li>THOMAS ROTHERHAM, Archbishop of York. </li>
  <li>JOHN MORTON, Bishop of Ely. </li>
  <li>DUKE of BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>DUKE of NORFOLK</li>
  <li>EARL of SURREY, His son. </li>
  <li>EARL RIVERS, Brother to Elizabeth. </li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group" data-description="Sons to Elizabeth.">
  <li>MARQUIS OF DORSET</li>
  <li>LORD GREY</li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group">
  <li>EARL of OXFORD</li>
  <li>LORD HASTINGS</li>
  <li>LORD STANLEY, Called also EARL of DERBY. </li>
  <li>LORD LOVEL</li>
  <li>SIR THOMAS VAUGHAN</li>
  <li>SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>SIR WILLIAM CATESBY</li>
  <li>SIR JAMES TYRREL</li>
  <li>SIR JAMES BLOUNT</li>
  <li>SIR WALTER HERBERT</li>
  <li>SIR ROBERT BRAKENBURY, Lieutenant of the Tower. </li>
  <li>CHRISTOPHER URSWICK, A priest. </li>
  <li>Another Priest. </li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group" data-description="Gentlemen attending on the Lady Anne.">
  <li>TRESSEL</li>
  <li>BERKELEY</li>
</ol>

<ol class="persona-group">
  <li>Lord Mayor of London. </li>
  <li>Sheriff of Wiltshire. </li>
  <li>ELIZABETH, Queen to King Edward IV. </li>
  <li>MARGARET, Widow of King Henry VI. </li>
  <li>DUCHESS of YORK, Mother to King Edward IV.</li>
  <li>LADY ANNE, Widow of Edward Prince of Wales, son to King Henry VI; afterwards married to Richard.</li>
  <li>A young Daughter of Clarence [MARGARET PLANTAGENET] </li>
  <li>Ghosts of those murdered by Richard III., Lords and other Attendants; a Pursuivant Scrivener, Citizens, Murderers, Messengers Soldiers, &c.</li>
</ol>

</section>

<div id="scene-description">SCENE  England.</div>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT I</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  London. A street.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter GLOUCESTER, solus</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Now is the winter of our discontent</li>
  <li>Made glorious summer by this sun of York;</li>
  <li>And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house</li>
  <li>In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.</li>
  <li class="number">Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths;</li>
  <li>Our bruised arms hung up for monuments;</li>
  <li>Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings,</li>
  <li>Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.</li>
  <li>Grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front;</li>
  <li class="number">And now, instead of mounting barded steeds</li>
  <li>To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,</li>
  <li>He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber</li>
  <li>To the lascivious pleasing of a lute.</li>
  <li>But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks,</li>
  <li class="number">Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass;</li>
  <li>I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty</li>
  <li>To strut before a wanton ambling nymph;</li>
  <li>I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion,</li>
  <li>Cheated of feature by dissembling nature,</li>
  <li class="number">Deformed, unfinish'd, sent before my time</li>
  <li>Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,</li>
  <li>And that so lamely and unfashionable</li>
  <li>That dogs bark at me as I halt by them;</li>
  <li>Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace,</li>
  <li class="number">Have no delight to pass away the time,</li>
  <li>Unless to spy my shadow in the sun</li>
  <li>And descant on mine own deformity:</li>
  <li>And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,</li>
  <li>To entertain these fair well-spoken days,</li>
  <li class="number">I am determined to prove a villain</li>
  <li>And hate the idle pleasures of these days.</li>
  <li>Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,</li>
  <li>By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams,</li>
  <li>To set my brother Clarence and the king</li>
  <li class="number">In deadly hate the one against the other:</li>
  <li>And if King Edward be as true and just</li>
  <li>As I am subtle, false and treacherous,</li>
  <li>This day should Clarence closely be mew'd up,</li>
  <li>About a prophecy, which says that 'G'</li>
  <li class="number">Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be.</li>
  <li>Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here</li>
  <li>Clarence comes.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>Brother, good day; what means this armed guard</li>
  <li>That waits upon your grace?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li class="number">His majesty</li>
  <li>Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed</li>
  <li>This conduct to convey me to the Tower.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Upon what cause?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Because my name is George.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours;</li>
  <li>He should, for that, commit your godfathers:</li>
  <li>O, belike his majesty hath some intent</li>
  <li>That you shall be new-christen'd in the Tower.</li>
  <li>But what's the matter, Clarence?  may I know?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li class="number">Yea, Richard, when I know; for I protest</li>
  <li>As yet I do not: but, as I can learn,</li>
  <li>He hearkens after prophecies and dreams;</li>
  <li>And from the cross-row plucks the letter G.</li>
  <li>And says a wizard told him that by G</li>
  <li class="number">His issue disinherited should be;</li>
  <li>And, for my name of George begins with G,</li>
  <li>It follows in his thought that I am he.</li>
  <li>These, as I learn, and such like toys as these</li>
  <li>Have moved his highness to commit me now.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Why, this it is, when men are ruled by women:</li>
  <li>'Tis not the king that sends you to the Tower:</li>
  <li>My Lady Grey his wife, Clarence, 'tis she</li>
  <li>That tempers him to this extremity.</li>
  <li>Was it not she and that good man of worship,</li>
  <li class="number">Anthony Woodville, her brother there,</li>
  <li>That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower,</li>
  <li>From whence this present day he is deliver'd?</li>
  <li>We are not safe, Clarence; we are not safe.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>By heaven, I think there's no man is secure</li>
  <li class="number">But the queen's kindred and night-walking heralds</li>
  <li>That trudge betwixt the king and Mistress Shore.</li>
  <li>Heard ye not what an humble suppliant</li>
  <li>Lord hastings was to her for his delivery?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Humbly complaining to her deity</li>
  <li class="number">Got my lord chamberlain his liberty.</li>
  <li>I'll tell you what; I think it is our way,</li>
  <li>If we will keep in favour with the king,</li>
  <li>To be her men and wear her livery:</li>
  <li>The jealous o'erworn widow and herself,</li>
  <li class="number">Since that our brother dubb'd them gentlewomen.</li>
  <li>Are mighty gossips in this monarchy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>I beseech your graces both to pardon me;</li>
  <li>His majesty hath straitly given in charge</li>
  <li>That no man shall have private conference,</li>
  <li class="number">Of what degree soever, with his brother.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Even so; an't please your worship, Brakenbury,</li>
  <li>You may partake of any thing we say:</li>
  <li>We speak no treason, man: we say the king</li>
  <li>Is wise and virtuous, and his noble queen</li>
  <li class="number">Well struck in years, fair, and not jealous;</li>
  <li>We say that Shore's wife hath a pretty foot,</li>
  <li>A cherry lip, a bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue;</li>
  <li>And that the queen's kindred are made gentle-folks:</li>
  <li>How say you sir? Can you deny all this?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li class="number">With this, my lord, myself have nought to do.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Naught to do with mistress Shore! I tell thee, fellow,</li>
  <li>He that doth naught with her, excepting one,</li>
  <li>Were best he do it secretly, alone.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>What one, my lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Her husband, knave: wouldst thou betray me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>I beseech your grace to pardon me, and withal</li>
  <li>Forbear your conference with the noble duke.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>We are the queen's abjects, and must obey.</li>
  <li class="number">Brother, farewell: I will unto the king;</li>
  <li>And whatsoever you will employ me in,</li>
  <li>Were it to call King Edward's widow sister,</li>
  <li>I will perform it to enfranchise you.</li>
  <li>Meantime, this deep disgrace in brotherhood</li>
  <li class="number">Touches me deeper than you can imagine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>I know it pleaseth neither of us well.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Well, your imprisonment shall not be long;</li>
  <li>Meantime, have patience.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>I must perforce. Farewell.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt CLARENCE, BRAKENBURY, and Guard</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Go, tread the path that thou shalt ne'er return.</li>
  <li>Simple, plain Clarence! I do love thee so,</li>
  <li>That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven,</li>
  <li>If heaven will take the present at our hands.</li>
  <li>But who comes here? the new-deliver'd Hastings?</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter HASTINGS</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li class="number">Good time of day unto my gracious lord!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>As much unto my good lord chamberlain!</li>
  <li>Well are you welcome to the open air.</li>
  <li>How hath your lordship brook'd imprisonment?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>With patience, noble lord, as prisoners must:</li>
  <li class="number">But I shall live, my lord, to give them thanks</li>
  <li>That were the cause of my imprisonment.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>No doubt, no doubt; and so shall Clarence too;</li>
  <li>For they that were your enemies are his,</li>
  <li>And have prevail'd as much on him as you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li class="number">More pity that the eagle should be mew'd,</li>
  <li>While kites and buzzards prey at liberty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>What news abroad?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>No news so bad abroad as this at home;</li>
  <li>The King is sickly, weak and melancholy,</li>
  <li class="number">And his physicians fear him mightily.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Now, by Saint Paul, this news is bad indeed.</li>
  <li>O, he hath kept an evil diet long,</li>
  <li>And overmuch consumed his royal person:</li>
  <li>'Tis very grievous to be thought upon.</li>
  <li class="number">What, is he in his bed?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>He is.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Go you before, and I will follow you.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit HASTINGS</li>
  <li>He cannot live, I hope; and must not die</li>
  <li>Till George be pack'd with post-horse up to heaven.</li>
  <li class="number">I'll in, to urge his hatred more to Clarence,</li>
  <li>With lies well steel'd with weighty arguments;</li>
  <li>And, if I fall not in my deep intent,</li>
  <li>Clarence hath not another day to live:</li>
  <li>Which done, God take King Edward to his mercy,</li>
  <li class="number">And leave the world for me to bustle in!</li>
  <li>For then I'll marry Warwick's youngest daughter.</li>
  <li>What though I kill'd her husband and her father?</li>
  <li>The readiest way to make the wench amends</li>
  <li>Is to become her husband and her father:</li>
  <li class="number">The which will I; not all so much for love</li>
  <li>As for another secret close intent,</li>
  <li>By marrying her which I must reach unto.</li>
  <li>But yet I run before my horse to market:</li>
  <li>Clarence still breathes; Edward still lives and reigns:</li>
  <li class="number">When they are gone, then must I count my gains.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  The same. Another street.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the corpse of KING HENRY the Sixth, Gentlemen
with halberds to guard it; LADY ANNE being the mourner</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Set down, set down your honourable load,</li>
  <li>If honour may be shrouded in a hearse,</li>
  <li>Whilst I awhile obsequiously lament</li>
  <li>The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster.</li>
  <li class="number">Poor key-cold figure of a holy king!</li>
  <li>Pale ashes of the house of Lancaster!</li>
  <li>Thou bloodless remnant of that royal blood!</li>
  <li>Be it lawful that I invocate thy ghost,</li>
  <li>To hear the lamentations of Poor Anne,</li>
  <li class="number">Wife to thy Edward, to thy slaughter'd son,</li>
  <li>Stabb'd by the selfsame hand that made these wounds!</li>
  <li>Lo, in these windows that let forth thy life,</li>
  <li>I pour the helpless balm of my poor eyes.</li>
  <li>Cursed be the hand that made these fatal holes!</li>
  <li class="number">Cursed be the heart that had the heart to do it!</li>
  <li>Cursed the blood that let this blood from hence!</li>
  <li>More direful hap betide that hated wretch,</li>
  <li>That makes us wretched by the death of thee,</li>
  <li>Than I can wish to adders, spiders, toads,</li>
  <li class="number">Or any creeping venom'd thing that lives!</li>
  <li>If ever he have child, abortive be it,</li>
  <li>Prodigious, and untimely brought to light,</li>
  <li>Whose ugly and unnatural aspect</li>
  <li>May fright the hopeful mother at the view;</li>
  <li class="number">And that be heir to his unhappiness!</li>
  <li>If ever he have wife, let her he made</li>
  <li>A miserable by the death of him</li>
  <li>As I am made by my poor lord and thee!</li>
  <li>Come, now towards Chertsey with your holy load,</li>
  <li class="number">Taken from Paul's to be interred there;</li>
  <li>And still, as you are weary of the weight,</li>
  <li>Rest you, whiles I lament King Henry's corse.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter GLOUCESTER</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Stay, you that bear the corse, and set it down.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>What black magician conjures up this fiend,</li>
  <li class="number">To stop devoted charitable deeds?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Villains, set down the corse; or, by Saint Paul,</li>
  <li>I'll make a corse of him that disobeys.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Gentleman</li>
  <li>My lord, stand back, and let the coffin pass.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Unmanner'd dog! stand thou, when I command:</li>
  <li class="number">Advance thy halbert higher than my breast,</li>
  <li>Or, by Saint Paul, I'll strike thee to my foot,</li>
  <li>And spurn upon thee, beggar, for thy boldness.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>What, do you tremble? are you all afraid?</li>
  <li>Alas, I blame you not; for you are mortal,</li>
  <li class="number">And mortal eyes cannot endure the devil.</li>
  <li>Avaunt, thou dreadful minister of hell!</li>
  <li>Thou hadst but power over his mortal body,</li>
  <li>His soul thou canst not have; therefore be gone.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Sweet saint, for charity, be not so curst.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li class="number">Foul devil, for God's sake, hence, and trouble us not;</li>
  <li>For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell,</li>
  <li>Fill'd it with cursing cries and deep exclaims.</li>
  <li>If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds,</li>
  <li>Behold this pattern of thy butcheries.</li>
  <li class="number">O, gentlemen, see, see! dead Henry's wounds</li>
  <li>Open their congeal'd mouths and bleed afresh!</li>
  <li>Blush, Blush, thou lump of foul deformity;</li>
  <li>For 'tis thy presence that exhales this blood</li>
  <li>From cold and empty veins, where no blood dwells;</li>
  <li class="number">Thy deed, inhuman and unnatural,</li>
  <li>Provokes this deluge most unnatural.</li>
  <li>O God, which this blood madest, revenge his death!</li>
  <li>O earth, which this blood drink'st revenge his death!</li>
  <li>Either heaven with lightning strike the</li>
  <li class="number">murderer dead,</li>
  <li>Or earth, gape open wide and eat him quick,</li>
  <li>As thou dost swallow up this good king's blood</li>
  <li>Which his hell-govern'd arm hath butchered!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Lady, you know no rules of charity,</li>
  <li class="number">Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Villain, thou know'st no law of God nor man:</li>
  <li>No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>But I know none, and therefore am no beast.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>O wonderful, when devils tell the truth!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">More wonderful, when angels are so angry.</li>
  <li>Vouchsafe, divine perfection of a woman,</li>
  <li>Of these supposed-evils, to give me leave,</li>
  <li>By circumstance, but to acquit myself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Vouchsafe, defused infection of a man,</li>
  <li class="number">For these known evils, but to give me leave,</li>
  <li>By circumstance, to curse thy cursed self.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Fairer than tongue can name thee, let me have</li>
  <li>Some patient leisure to excuse myself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Fouler than heart can think thee, thou canst make</li>
  <li class="number">No excuse current, but to hang thyself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>By such despair, I should accuse myself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>And, by despairing, shouldst thou stand excused;</li>
  <li>For doing worthy vengeance on thyself,</li>
  <li>Which didst unworthy slaughter upon others.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Say that I slew them not?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Why, then they are not dead:</li>
  <li>But dead they are, and devilish slave, by thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>I did not kill your husband.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Why, then he is alive.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Nay, he is dead; and slain by Edward's hand.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>In thy foul throat thou liest: Queen Margaret saw</li>
  <li>Thy murderous falchion smoking in his blood;</li>
  <li>The which thou once didst bend against her breast,</li>
  <li>But that thy brothers beat aside the point.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">I was provoked by her slanderous tongue,</li>
  <li>which laid their guilt upon my guiltless shoulders.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Thou wast provoked by thy bloody mind.</li>
  <li>Which never dreamt on aught but butcheries:</li>
  <li>Didst thou not kill this king?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">I grant ye.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Dost grant me, hedgehog? then, God grant me too</li>
  <li>Thou mayst be damned for that wicked deed!</li>
  <li>O, he was gentle, mild, and virtuous!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>The fitter for the King of heaven, that hath him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li class="number">He is in heaven, where thou shalt never come.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Let him thank me, that holp to send him thither;</li>
  <li>For he was fitter for that place than earth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>And thou unfit for any place but hell.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Yes, one place else, if you will hear me name it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li class="number">Some dungeon.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Your bed-chamber.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>I'll rest betide the chamber where thou liest!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>So will it, madam till I lie with you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>I hope so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">I know so. But, gentle Lady Anne,</li>
  <li>To leave this keen encounter of our wits,</li>
  <li>And fall somewhat into a slower method,</li>
  <li>Is not the causer of the timeless deaths</li>
  <li>Of these Plantagenets, Henry and Edward,</li>
  <li class="number">As blameful as the executioner?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Thou art the cause, and most accursed effect.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Your beauty was the cause of that effect;</li>
  <li>Your beauty: which did haunt me in my sleep</li>
  <li>To undertake the death of all the world,</li>
  <li class="number">So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>If I thought that, I tell thee, homicide,</li>
  <li>These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>These eyes could never endure sweet beauty's wreck;</li>
  <li>You should not blemish it, if I stood by:</li>
  <li class="number">As all the world is cheered by the sun,</li>
  <li>So I by that; it is my day, my life.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Black night o'ershade thy day, and death thy life!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Curse not thyself, fair creature thou art both.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>I would I were, to be revenged on thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">It is a quarrel most unnatural,</li>
  <li>To be revenged on him that loveth you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>It is a quarrel just and reasonable,</li>
  <li>To be revenged on him that slew my husband.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>He that bereft thee, lady, of thy husband,</li>
  <li class="number">Did it to help thee to a better husband.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>His better doth not breathe upon the earth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>He lives that loves thee better than he could.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Name him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Plantagenet.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li class="number">Why, that was he.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>The selfsame name, but one of better nature.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Where is he?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Here.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">She spitteth at him</li>
  <li>Why dost thou spit at me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li class="number">Would it were mortal poison, for thy sake!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Never came poison from so sweet a place.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Never hung poison on a fouler toad.</li>
  <li>Out of my sight! thou dost infect my eyes.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Thine eyes, sweet lady, have infected mine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li class="number">Would they were basilisks, to strike thee dead!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>I would they were, that I might die at once;</li>
  <li>For now they kill me with a living death.</li>
  <li>Those eyes of thine from mine have drawn salt tears,</li>
  <li>Shamed their aspect with store of childish drops:</li>
  <li class="number">These eyes that never shed remorseful tear,</li>
  <li>No, when my father York and Edward wept,</li>
  <li>To hear the piteous moan that Rutland made</li>
  <li>When black-faced Clifford shook his sword at him;</li>
  <li>Nor when thy warlike father, like a child,</li>
  <li class="number">Told the sad story of my father's death,</li>
  <li>And twenty times made pause to sob and weep,</li>
  <li>That all the standers-by had wet their cheeks</li>
  <li>Like trees bedash'd with rain: in that sad time</li>
  <li>My manly eyes did scorn an humble tear;</li>
  <li class="number">And what these sorrows could not thence exhale,</li>
  <li>Thy beauty hath, and made them blind with weeping.</li>
  <li>I never sued to friend nor enemy;</li>
  <li>My tongue could never learn sweet smoothing word;</li>
  <li>But now thy beauty is proposed my fee,</li>
  <li class="number">My proud heart sues, and prompts my tongue to speak.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">She looks scornfully at him</li>
  <li>Teach not thy lips such scorn, for they were made</li>
  <li>For kissing, lady, not for such contempt.</li>
  <li>If thy revengeful heart cannot forgive,</li>
  <li>Lo, here I lend thee this sharp-pointed sword;</li>
  <li class="number">Which if thou please to hide in this true bosom.</li>
  <li>And let the soul forth that adoreth thee,</li>
  <li>I lay it naked to the deadly stroke,</li>
  <li>And humbly beg the death upon my knee.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">He lays his breast open: she offers at it with his sword</li>
  <li>Nay, do not pause; for I did kill King Henry,</li>
  <li class="number">But 'twas thy beauty that provoked me.</li>
  <li>Nay, now dispatch; 'twas I that stabb'd young Edward,</li>
  <li>But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Here she lets fall the sword</li>
  <li>Take up the sword again, or take up me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Arise, dissembler: though I wish thy death,</li>
  <li class="number">I will not be the executioner.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Then bid me kill myself, and I will do it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>I have already.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Tush, that was in thy rage:</li>
  <li>Speak it again, and, even with the word,</li>
  <li class="number">That hand, which, for thy love, did kill thy love,</li>
  <li>Shall, for thy love, kill a far truer love;</li>
  <li>To both their deaths thou shalt be accessary.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>I would I knew thy heart.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>'Tis figured in my tongue.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li class="number">I fear me both are false.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Then never man was true.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Well, well, put up your sword.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Say, then, my peace is made.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>That shall you know hereafter.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">But shall I live in hope?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>All men, I hope, live so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Vouchsafe to wear this ring.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>To take is not to give.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Look, how this ring encompasseth finger.</li>
  <li class="number">Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart;</li>
  <li>Wear both of them, for both of them are thine.</li>
  <li>And if thy poor devoted suppliant may</li>
  <li>But beg one favour at thy gracious hand,</li>
  <li>Thou dost confirm his happiness for ever.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li class="number">What is it?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>That it would please thee leave these sad designs</li>
  <li>To him that hath more cause to be a mourner,</li>
  <li>And presently repair to Crosby Place;</li>
  <li>Where, after I have solemnly interr'd</li>
  <li class="number">At Chertsey monastery this noble king,</li>
  <li>And wet his grave with my repentant tears,</li>
  <li>I will with all expedient duty see you:</li>
  <li>For divers unknown reasons. I beseech you,</li>
  <li>Grant me this boon.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li class="number">With all my heart; and much it joys me too,</li>
  <li>To see you are become so penitent.</li>
  <li>Tressel and Berkeley, go along with me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Bid me farewell.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>'Tis more than you deserve;</li>
  <li class="number">But since you teach me how to flatter you,</li>
  <li>Imagine I have said farewell already.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt LADY ANNE, TRESSEL, and BERKELEY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Sirs, take up the corse.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GENTLEMEN</li>
  <li>Towards Chertsey, noble lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>No, to White-Friars; there attend my coining.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Was ever woman in this humour woo'd?</li>
  <li>Was ever woman in this humour won?</li>
  <li>I'll have her; but I will not keep her long.</li>
  <li>What! I, that kill'd her husband and his father,</li>
  <li>To take her in her heart's extremest hate,</li>
  <li class="number">With curses in her mouth, tears in her eyes,</li>
  <li>The bleeding witness of her hatred by;</li>
  <li>Having God, her conscience, and these bars</li>
  <li>against me,</li>
  <li>And I nothing to back my suit at all,</li>
  <li class="number">But the plain devil and dissembling looks,</li>
  <li>And yet to win her, all the world to nothing!</li>
  <li>Ha!</li>
  <li>Hath she forgot already that brave prince,</li>
  <li>Edward, her lord, whom I, some three months since,</li>
  <li class="number">Stabb'd in my angry mood at Tewksbury?</li>
  <li>A sweeter and a lovelier gentleman,</li>
  <li>Framed in the prodigality of nature,</li>
  <li>Young, valiant, wise, and, no doubt, right royal,</li>
  <li>The spacious world cannot again afford</li>
  <li class="number">And will she yet debase her eyes on me,</li>
  <li>That cropp'd the golden prime of this sweet prince,</li>
  <li>And made her widow to a woful bed?</li>
  <li>On me, whose all not equals Edward's moiety?</li>
  <li>On me, that halt and am unshapen thus?</li>
  <li class="number">My dukedom to a beggarly denier,</li>
  <li>I do mistake my person all this while:</li>
  <li>Upon my life, she finds, although I cannot,</li>
  <li>Myself to be a marvellous proper man.</li>
  <li>I'll be at charges for a looking-glass,</li>
  <li class="number">And entertain some score or two of tailors,</li>
  <li>To study fashions to adorn my body:</li>
  <li>Since I am crept in favour with myself,</li>
  <li>Will maintain it with some little cost.</li>
  <li>But first I'll turn yon fellow in his grave;</li>
  <li class="number">And then return lamenting to my love.</li>
  <li>Shine out, fair sun, till I have bought a glass,</li>
  <li>That I may see my shadow as I pass.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  The palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH, RIVERS, and GREY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Have patience, madam: there's no doubt his majesty</li>
  <li>Will soon recover his accustom'd health.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GREY</li>
  <li>In that you brook it in, it makes him worse:</li>
  <li>Therefore, for God's sake, entertain good comfort,</li>
  <li class="number">And cheer his grace with quick and merry words.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>If he were dead, what would betide of me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>No other harm but loss of such a lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>The loss of such a lord includes all harm.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GREY</li>
  <li>The heavens have bless'd you with a goodly son,</li>
  <li class="number">To be your comforter when he is gone.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Oh, he is young and his minority</li>
  <li>Is put unto the trust of Richard Gloucester,</li>
  <li>A man that loves not me, nor none of you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Is it concluded that he shall be protector?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">It is determined, not concluded yet:</li>
  <li>But so it must be, if the king miscarry.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter BUCKINGHAM and DERBY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GREY</li>
  <li>Here come the lords of Buckingham and Derby.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Good time of day unto your royal grace!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li>God make your majesty joyful as you have been!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">The Countess Richmond, good my Lord of Derby.</li>
  <li>To your good prayers will scarcely say amen.</li>
  <li>Yet, Derby, notwithstanding she's your wife,</li>
  <li>And loves not me, be you, good lord, assured</li>
  <li>I hate not you for her proud arrogance.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li class="number">I do beseech you, either not believe</li>
  <li>The envious slanders of her false accusers;</li>
  <li>Or, if she be accused in true report,</li>
  <li>Bear with her weakness, which, I think proceeds</li>
  <li>From wayward sickness, and no grounded malice.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li class="number">Saw you the king to-day, my Lord of Derby?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li>But now the Duke of Buckingham and I</li>
  <li>Are come from visiting his majesty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>What likelihood of his amendment, lords?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Madam, good hope; his grace speaks cheerfully.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">God grant him health! Did you confer with him?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Madam, we did: he desires to make atonement</li>
  <li>Betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers,</li>
  <li>And betwixt them and my lord chamberlain;</li>
  <li>And sent to warn them to his royal presence.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">Would all were well! but that will never be</li>
  <li>I fear our happiness is at the highest.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, and DORSET</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>They do me wrong, and I will not endure it:</li>
  <li>Who are they that complain unto the king,</li>
  <li>That I, forsooth, am stern, and love them not?</li>
  <li class="number">By holy Paul, they love his grace but lightly</li>
  <li>That fill his ears with such dissentious rumours.</li>
  <li>Because I cannot flatter and speak fair,</li>
  <li>Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog,</li>
  <li>Duck with French nods and apish courtesy,</li>
  <li class="number">I must be held a rancorous enemy.</li>
  <li>Cannot a plain man live and think no harm,</li>
  <li>But thus his simple truth must be abused</li>
  <li>By silken, sly, insinuating Jacks?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>To whom in all this presence speaks your grace?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">To thee, that hast nor honesty nor grace.</li>
  <li>When have I injured thee? when done thee wrong?</li>
  <li>Or thee? or thee? or any of your faction?</li>
  <li>A plague upon you all! His royal person —  </li>
  <li>Whom God preserve better than you would wish! — </li>
  <li class="number">Cannot be quiet scarce a breathing-while,</li>
  <li>But you must trouble him with lewd complaints.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Brother of Gloucester, you mistake the matter.</li>
  <li>The king, of his own royal disposition,</li>
  <li>And not provoked by any suitor else;</li>
  <li class="number">Aiming, belike, at your interior hatred,</li>
  <li>Which in your outward actions shows itself</li>
  <li>Against my kindred, brothers, and myself,</li>
  <li>Makes him to send; that thereby he may gather</li>
  <li>The ground of your ill-will, and so remove it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">I cannot tell: the world is grown so bad,</li>
  <li>That wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch:</li>
  <li>Since every Jack became a gentleman</li>
  <li>There's many a gentle person made a Jack.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Come, come, we know your meaning, brother</li>
  <li class="number">Gloucester;</li>
  <li>You envy my advancement and my friends':</li>
  <li>God grant we never may have need of you!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Meantime, God grants that we have need of you:</li>
  <li>Your brother is imprison'd by your means,</li>
  <li class="number">Myself disgraced, and the nobility</li>
  <li>Held in contempt; whilst many fair promotions</li>
  <li>Are daily given to ennoble those</li>
  <li>That scarce, some two days since, were worth a noble.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>By Him that raised me to this careful height</li>
  <li class="number">From that contented hap which I enjoy'd,</li>
  <li>I never did incense his majesty</li>
  <li>Against the Duke of Clarence, but have been</li>
  <li>An earnest advocate to plead for him.</li>
  <li>My lord, you do me shameful injury,</li>
  <li class="number">Falsely to draw me in these vile suspects.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>You may deny that you were not the cause</li>
  <li>Of my Lord Hastings' late imprisonment.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>She may, my lord, for — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>She may, Lord Rivers! why, who knows not so?</li>
  <li class="number">She may do more, sir, than denying that:</li>
  <li>She may help you to many fair preferments,</li>
  <li>And then deny her aiding hand therein,</li>
  <li>And lay those honours on your high deserts.</li>
  <li>What may she not? She may, yea, marry, may she — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li class="number">What, marry, may she?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>What, marry, may she! marry with a king,</li>
  <li>A bachelor, a handsome stripling too:</li>
  <li>I wis your grandam had a worser match.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>My Lord of Gloucester, I have too long borne</li>
  <li class="number">Your blunt upbraidings and your bitter scoffs:</li>
  <li>By heaven, I will acquaint his majesty</li>
  <li>With those gross taunts I often have endured.</li>
  <li>I had rather be a country servant-maid</li>
  <li>Than a great queen, with this condition,</li>
  <li class="number">To be thus taunted, scorn'd, and baited at:</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter QUEEN MARGARET, behind</li>
  <li>Small joy have I in being England's queen.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>And lessen'd be that small, God, I beseech thee!</li>
  <li>Thy honour, state and seat is due to me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>What! threat you me with telling of the king?</li>
  <li class="number">Tell him, and spare not: look, what I have said</li>
  <li>I will avouch in presence of the king:</li>
  <li>I dare adventure to be sent to the Tower.</li>
  <li>'Tis time to speak; my pains are quite forgot.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Out, devil! I remember them too well:</li>
  <li class="number">Thou slewest my husband Henry in the Tower,</li>
  <li>And Edward, my poor son, at Tewksbury.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Ere you were queen, yea, or your husband king,</li>
  <li>I was a pack-horse in his great affairs;</li>
  <li>A weeder-out of his proud adversaries,</li>
  <li class="number">A liberal rewarder of his friends:</li>
  <li>To royalize his blood I spilt mine own.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Yea, and much better blood than his or thine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>In all which time you and your husband Grey</li>
  <li>Were factious for the house of Lancaster;</li>
  <li class="number">And, Rivers, so were you. Was not your husband</li>
  <li>In Margaret's battle at Saint Alban's slain?</li>
  <li>Let me put in your minds, if you forget,</li>
  <li>What you have been ere now, and what you are;</li>
  <li>Withal, what I have been, and what I am.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">A murderous villain, and so still thou art.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Poor Clarence did forsake his father, Warwick;</li>
  <li>Yea, and forswore himself —  which Jesu pardon! — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Which God revenge!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>To fight on Edward's party for the crown;</li>
  <li class="number">And for his meed, poor lord, he is mew'd up.</li>
  <li>I would to God my heart were flint, like Edward's;</li>
  <li>Or Edward's soft and pitiful, like mine</li>
  <li>I am too childish-foolish for this world.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Hie thee to hell for shame, and leave the world,</li>
  <li class="number">Thou cacodemon! there thy kingdom is.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>My Lord of Gloucester, in those busy days</li>
  <li>Which here you urge to prove us enemies,</li>
  <li>We follow'd then our lord, our lawful king:</li>
  <li>So should we you, if you should be our king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">If I should be! I had rather be a pedlar:</li>
  <li>Far be it from my heart, the thought of it!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>As little joy, my lord, as you suppose</li>
  <li>You should enjoy, were you this country's king,</li>
  <li>As little joy may you suppose in me.</li>
  <li class="number">That I enjoy, being the queen thereof.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>A little joy enjoys the queen thereof;</li>
  <li>For I am she, and altogether joyless.</li>
  <li>I can no longer hold me patient.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Advancing</li>
  <li>Hear me, you wrangling pirates, that fall out</li>
  <li class="number">In sharing that which you have pill'd from me!</li>
  <li>Which of you trembles not that looks on me?</li>
  <li>If not, that, I being queen, you bow like subjects,</li>
  <li>Yet that, by you deposed, you quake like rebels?</li>
  <li>O gentle villain, do not turn away!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Foul wrinkled witch, what makest thou in my sight?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>But repetition of what thou hast marr'd;</li>
  <li>That will I make before I let thee go.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Wert thou not banished on pain of death?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>I was; but I do find more pain in banishment</li>
  <li class="number">Than death can yield me here by my abode.</li>
  <li>A husband and a son thou owest to me;</li>
  <li>And thou a kingdom; all of you allegiance:</li>
  <li>The sorrow that I have, by right is yours,</li>
  <li>And all the pleasures you usurp are mine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">The curse my noble father laid on thee,</li>
  <li>When thou didst crown his warlike brows with paper</li>
  <li>And with thy scorns drew'st rivers from his eyes,</li>
  <li>And then, to dry them, gavest the duke a clout</li>
  <li>Steep'd in the faultless blood of pretty Rutland — </li>
  <li class="number">His curses, then from bitterness of soul</li>
  <li>Denounced against thee, are all fall'n upon thee;</li>
  <li>And God, not we, hath plagued thy bloody deed.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>So just is God, to right the innocent.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>O, 'twas the foulest deed to slay that babe,</li>
  <li class="number">And the most merciless that e'er was heard of!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Tyrants themselves wept when it was reported.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DORSET</li>
  <li>No man but prophesied revenge for it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Northumberland, then present, wept to see it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>What were you snarling all before I came,</li>
  <li class="number">Ready to catch each other by the throat,</li>
  <li>And turn you all your hatred now on me?</li>
  <li>Did York's dread curse prevail so much with heaven?</li>
  <li>That Henry's death, my lovely Edward's death,</li>
  <li>Their kingdom's loss, my woful banishment,</li>
  <li class="number">Could all but answer for that peevish brat?</li>
  <li>Can curses pierce the clouds and enter heaven?</li>
  <li>Why, then, give way, dull clouds, to my quick curses!</li>
  <li>If not by war, by surfeit die your king,</li>
  <li>As ours by murder, to make him a king!</li>
  <li class="number">Edward thy son, which now is Prince of Wales,</li>
  <li>For Edward my son, which was Prince of Wales,</li>
  <li>Die in his youth by like untimely violence!</li>
  <li>Thyself a queen, for me that was a queen,</li>
  <li>Outlive thy glory, like my wretched self!</li>
  <li class="number">Long mayst thou live to wail thy children's loss;</li>
  <li>And see another, as I see thee now,</li>
  <li>Deck'd in thy rights, as thou art stall'd in mine!</li>
  <li>Long die thy happy days before thy death;</li>
  <li>And, after many lengthen'd hours of grief,</li>
  <li class="number">Die neither mother, wife, nor England's queen!</li>
  <li>Rivers and Dorset, you were standers by,</li>
  <li>And so wast thou, Lord Hastings, when my son</li>
  <li>Was stabb'd with bloody daggers: God, I pray him,</li>
  <li>That none of you may live your natural age,</li>
  <li class="number">But by some unlook'd accident cut off!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Have done thy charm, thou hateful wither'd hag!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>And leave out thee? stay, dog, for thou shalt hear me.</li>
  <li>If heaven have any grievous plague in store</li>
  <li>Exceeding those that I can wish upon thee,</li>
  <li class="number">O, let them keep it till thy sins be ripe,</li>
  <li>And then hurl down their indignation</li>
  <li>On thee, the troubler of the poor world's peace!</li>
  <li>The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul!</li>
  <li>Thy friends suspect for traitors while thou livest,</li>
  <li class="number">And take deep traitors for thy dearest friends!</li>
  <li>No sleep close up that deadly eye of thine,</li>
  <li>Unless it be whilst some tormenting dream</li>
  <li>Affrights thee with a hell of ugly devils!</li>
  <li>Thou elvish-mark'd, abortive, rooting hog!</li>
  <li class="number">Thou that wast seal'd in thy nativity</li>
  <li>The slave of nature and the son of hell!</li>
  <li>Thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb!</li>
  <li>Thou loathed issue of thy father's loins!</li>
  <li>Thou rag of honour! thou detested — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Margaret.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Richard!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Ha!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>I call thee not.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>I cry thee mercy then, for I had thought</li>
  <li class="number">That thou hadst call'd me all these bitter names.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Why, so I did; but look'd for no reply.</li>
  <li>O, let me make the period to my curse!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>'Tis done by me, and ends in 'Margaret.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Thus have you breathed your curse against yourself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">Poor painted queen, vain flourish of my fortune!</li>
  <li>Why strew'st thou sugar on that bottled spider,</li>
  <li>Whose deadly web ensnareth thee about?</li>
  <li>Fool, fool! thou whet'st a knife to kill thyself.</li>
  <li>The time will come when thou shalt wish for me</li>
  <li class="number">To help thee curse that poisonous bunchback'd toad.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>False-boding woman, end thy frantic curse,</li>
  <li>Lest to thy harm thou move our patience.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Foul shame upon you! you have all moved mine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Were you well served, you would be taught your duty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">To serve me well, you all should do me duty,</li>
  <li>Teach me to be your queen, and you my subjects:</li>
  <li>O, serve me well, and teach yourselves that duty!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DORSET</li>
  <li>Dispute not with her; she is lunatic.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Peace, master marquess, you are malapert:</li>
  <li class="number">Your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current.</li>
  <li>O, that your young nobility could judge</li>
  <li>What 'twere to lose it, and be miserable!</li>
  <li>They that stand high have many blasts to shake them;</li>
  <li>And if they fall, they dash themselves to pieces.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Good counsel, marry: learn it, learn it, marquess.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DORSET</li>
  <li>It toucheth you, my lord, as much as me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Yea, and much more: but I was born so high,</li>
  <li>Our aery buildeth in the cedar's top,</li>
  <li>And dallies with the wind and scorns the sun.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">And turns the sun to shade; alas! alas!</li>
  <li>Witness my son, now in the shade of death;</li>
  <li>Whose bright out-shining beams thy cloudy wrath</li>
  <li>Hath in eternal darkness folded up.</li>
  <li>Your aery buildeth in our aery's nest.</li>
  <li class="number">O God, that seest it, do not suffer it!</li>
  <li>As it was won with blood, lost be it so!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Have done! for shame, if not for charity.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Urge neither charity nor shame to me:</li>
  <li>Uncharitably with me have you dealt,</li>
  <li class="number">And shamefully by you my hopes are butcher'd.</li>
  <li>My charity is outrage, life my shame</li>
  <li>And in that shame still live my sorrow's rage.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Have done, have done.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>O princely Buckingham I'll kiss thy hand,</li>
  <li class="number">In sign of league and amity with thee:</li>
  <li>Now fair befal thee and thy noble house!</li>
  <li>Thy garments are not spotted with our blood,</li>
  <li>Nor thou within the compass of my curse.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Nor no one here; for curses never pass</li>
  <li class="number">The lips of those that breathe them in the air.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>I'll not believe but they ascend the sky,</li>
  <li>And there awake God's gentle-sleeping peace.</li>
  <li>O Buckingham, take heed of yonder dog!</li>
  <li>Look, when he fawns, he bites; and when he bites,</li>
  <li class="number">His venom tooth will rankle to the death:</li>
  <li>Have not to do with him, beware of him;</li>
  <li>Sin, death, and hell have set their marks on him,</li>
  <li>And all their ministers attend on him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>What doth she say, my Lord of Buckingham?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">Nothing that I respect, my gracious lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>What, dost thou scorn me for my gentle counsel?</li>
  <li>And soothe the devil that I warn thee from?</li>
  <li>O, but remember this another day,</li>
  <li>When he shall split thy very heart with sorrow,</li>
  <li class="number">And say poor Margaret was a prophetess!</li>
  <li>Live each of you the subjects to his hate,</li>
  <li>And he to yours, and all of you to God's!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>My hair doth stand on end to hear her curses.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>And so doth mine: I muse why she's at liberty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">I cannot blame her: by God's holy mother,</li>
  <li>She hath had too much wrong; and I repent</li>
  <li>My part thereof that I have done to her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>I never did her any, to my knowledge.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>But you have all the vantage of her wrong.</li>
  <li class="number">I was too hot to do somebody good,</li>
  <li>That is too cold in thinking of it now.</li>
  <li>Marry, as for Clarence, he is well repaid,</li>
  <li>He is frank'd up to fatting for his pains</li>
  <li>God pardon them that are the cause of it!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li class="number">A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion,</li>
  <li>To pray for them that have done scathe to us.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>So do I ever:</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Aside</li>
  <li>being well-advised.</li>
  <li>For had I cursed now, I had cursed myself.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter CATESBY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li class="number">Madam, his majesty doth call for you,</li>
  <li>And for your grace; and you, my noble lords.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Catesby, we come. Lords, will you go with us?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Madam, we will attend your grace.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>I do the wrong, and first begin to brawl.</li>
  <li class="number">The secret mischiefs that I set abroach</li>
  <li>I lay unto the grievous charge of others.</li>
  <li>Clarence, whom I, indeed, have laid in darkness,</li>
  <li>I do beweep to many simple gulls</li>
  <li>Namely, to Hastings, Derby, Buckingham;</li>
  <li class="number">And say it is the queen and her allies</li>
  <li>That stir the king against the duke my brother.</li>
  <li>Now, they believe it; and withal whet me</li>
  <li>To be revenged on Rivers, Vaughan, Grey:</li>
  <li>But then I sigh; and, with a piece of scripture,</li>
  <li class="number">Tell them that God bids us do good for evil:</li>
  <li>And thus I clothe my naked villany</li>
  <li>With old odd ends stolen out of holy writ;</li>
  <li>And seem a saint, when most I play the devil.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter two Murderers</li>
  <li>But, soft! here come my executioners.</li>
  <li class="number">How now, my hardy, stout resolved mates!</li>
  <li>Are you now going to dispatch this deed?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>We are, my lord; and come to have the warrant</li>
  <li>That we may be admitted where he is.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Well thought upon; I have it here about me.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Gives the warrant</li>
  <li class="number">When you have done, repair to Crosby Place.</li>
  <li>But, sirs, be sudden in the execution,</li>
  <li>Withal obdurate, do not hear him plead;</li>
  <li>For Clarence is well-spoken, and perhaps</li>
  <li>May move your hearts to pity if you mark him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">Tush!</li>
  <li>Fear not, my lord, we will not stand to prate;</li>
  <li>Talkers are no good doers: be assured</li>
  <li>We come to use our hands and not our tongues.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Your eyes drop millstones, when fools' eyes drop tears:</li>
  <li class="number">I like you, lads; about your business straight;</li>
  <li>Go, go, dispatch.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>We will, my noble lord.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE IV.  London. The Tower.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter CLARENCE and BRAKENBURY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>Why looks your grace so heavily today?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>O, I have pass'd a miserable night,</li>
  <li>So full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams,</li>
  <li>That, as I am a Christian faithful man,</li>
  <li class="number">I would not spend another such a night,</li>
  <li>Though 'twere to buy a world of happy days,</li>
  <li>So full of dismal terror was the time!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>What was your dream? I long to hear you tell it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Methoughts that I had broken from the Tower,</li>
  <li class="number">And was embark'd to cross to Burgundy;</li>
  <li>And, in my company, my brother Gloucester;</li>
  <li>Who from my cabin tempted me to walk</li>
  <li>Upon the hatches: thence we looked toward England,</li>
  <li>And cited up a thousand fearful times,</li>
  <li class="number">During the wars of York and Lancaster</li>
  <li>That had befall'n us. As we paced along</li>
  <li>Upon the giddy footing of the hatches,</li>
  <li>Methought that Gloucester stumbled; and, in falling,</li>
  <li>Struck me, that thought to stay him, overboard,</li>
  <li class="number">Into the tumbling billows of the main.</li>
  <li>Lord, Lord! methought, what pain it was to drown!</li>
  <li>What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears!</li>
  <li>What ugly sights of death within mine eyes!</li>
  <li>Methought I saw a thousand fearful wrecks;</li>
  <li class="number">Ten thousand men that fishes gnaw'd upon;</li>
  <li>Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,</li>
  <li>Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels,</li>
  <li>All scatter'd in the bottom of the sea:</li>
  <li>Some lay in dead men's skulls; and, in those holes</li>
  <li class="number">Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept,</li>
  <li>As 'twere in scorn of eyes, reflecting gems,</li>
  <li>Which woo'd the slimy bottom of the deep,</li>
  <li>And mock'd the dead bones that lay scatter'd by.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>Had you such leisure in the time of death</li>
  <li class="number">To gaze upon the secrets of the deep?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Methought I had; and often did I strive</li>
  <li>To yield the ghost: but still the envious flood</li>
  <li>Kept in my soul, and would not let it forth</li>
  <li>To seek the empty, vast and wandering air;</li>
  <li class="number">But smother'd it within my panting bulk,</li>
  <li>Which almost burst to belch it in the sea.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>Awaked you not with this sore agony?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>O, no, my dream was lengthen'd after life;</li>
  <li>O, then began the tempest to my soul,</li>
  <li class="number">Who pass'd, methought, the melancholy flood,</li>
  <li>With that grim ferryman which poets write of,</li>
  <li>Unto the kingdom of perpetual night.</li>
  <li>The first that there did greet my stranger soul,</li>
  <li>Was my great father-in-law, renowned Warwick;</li>
  <li class="number">Who cried aloud, 'What scourge for perjury</li>
  <li>Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence?'</li>
  <li>And so he vanish'd: then came wandering by</li>
  <li>A shadow like an angel, with bright hair</li>
  <li>Dabbled in blood; and he squeak'd out aloud,</li>
  <li class="number">'Clarence is come; false, fleeting, perjured Clarence,</li>
  <li>That stabb'd me in the field by Tewksbury;</li>
  <li>Seize on him, Furies, take him to your torments!'</li>
  <li>With that, methoughts, a legion of foul fiends</li>
  <li>Environ'd me about, and howled in mine ears</li>
  <li class="number">Such hideous cries, that with the very noise</li>
  <li>I trembling waked, and for a season after</li>
  <li>Could not believe but that I was in hell,</li>
  <li>Such terrible impression made the dream.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>No marvel, my lord, though it affrighted you;</li>
  <li class="number">I promise, I am afraid to hear you tell it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>O Brakenbury, I have done those things,</li>
  <li>Which now bear evidence against my soul,</li>
  <li>For Edward's sake; and see how he requites me!</li>
  <li>O God! if my deep prayers cannot appease thee,</li>
  <li class="number">But thou wilt be avenged on my misdeeds,</li>
  <li>Yet execute thy wrath in me alone,</li>
  <li>O, spare my guiltless wife and my poor children!</li>
  <li>I pray thee, gentle keeper, stay by me;</li>
  <li>My soul is heavy, and I fain would sleep.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li class="number">I will, my lord: God give your grace good rest!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">CLARENCE sleeps</li>
  <li>Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours,</li>
  <li>Makes the night morning, and the noon-tide night.</li>
  <li>Princes have but their tides for their glories,</li>
  <li>An outward honour for an inward toil;</li>
  <li class="number">And, for unfelt imagination,</li>
  <li>They often feel a world of restless cares:</li>
  <li>So that, betwixt their tides and low names,</li>
  <li>There's nothing differs but the outward fame.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the two Murderers</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Ho! who's here?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li class="number">In God's name what are you, and how came you hither?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>I would speak with Clarence, and I came hither on my legs.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>Yea, are you so brief?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>O sir, it is better to be brief than tedious. Show</li>
  <li>him our commission; talk no more.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">BRAKENBURY reads it</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li class="number">I am, in this, commanded to deliver</li>
  <li>The noble Duke of Clarence to your hands:</li>
  <li>I will not reason what is meant hereby,</li>
  <li>Because I will be guiltless of the meaning.</li>
  <li>Here are the keys, there sits the duke asleep:</li>
  <li class="number">I'll to the king; and signify to him</li>
  <li>That thus I have resign'd my charge to you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Do so, it is a point of wisdom: fare you well.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit BRAKENBURY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>What, shall we stab him as he sleeps?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>No; then he will say 'twas done cowardly, when he wakes.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">When he wakes! why, fool, he shall never wake till</li>
  <li>the judgment-day.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Why, then he will say we stabbed him sleeping.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>The urging of that word 'judgment' hath bred a kind</li>
  <li>of remorse in me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">What, art thou afraid?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>Not to kill him, having a warrant for it; but to be</li>
  <li>damned for killing him, from which no warrant can defend us.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>I thought thou hadst been resolute.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>So I am, to let him live.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">Back to the Duke of Gloucester, tell him so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>I pray thee, stay a while: I hope my holy humour</li>
  <li>will change; 'twas wont to hold me but while one</li>
  <li>would tell twenty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>How dost thou feel thyself now?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">'Faith, some certain dregs of conscience are yet</li>
  <li>within me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Remember our reward, when the deed is done.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>'Zounds, he dies: I had forgot the reward.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Where is thy conscience now?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">In the Duke of Gloucester's purse.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>So when he opens his purse to give us our reward,</li>
  <li>thy conscience flies out.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>Let it go; there's few or none will entertain it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>How if it come to thee again?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">I'll not meddle with it: it is a dangerous thing: it</li>
  <li>makes a man a coward: a man cannot steal, but it</li>
  <li>accuseth him; he cannot swear, but it cheques him;</li>
  <li>he cannot lie with his neighbour's wife, but it</li>
  <li>detects him: 'tis a blushing shamefast spirit that</li>
  <li class="number">mutinies in a man's bosom; it fills one full of</li>
  <li>obstacles: it made me once restore a purse of gold</li>
  <li>that I found; it beggars any man that keeps it: it</li>
  <li>is turned out of all towns and cities for a</li>
  <li>dangerous thing; and every man that means to live</li>
  <li class="number">well endeavours to trust to himself and to live</li>
  <li>without it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>'Zounds, it is even now at my elbow, persuading me</li>
  <li>not to kill the duke.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>Take the devil in thy mind, and relieve him not: he</li>
  <li class="number">would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Tut, I am strong-framed, he cannot prevail with me,</li>
  <li>I warrant thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>Spoke like a tail fellow that respects his</li>
  <li>reputation. Come, shall we to this gear?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">Take him over the costard with the hilts of thy</li>
  <li>sword, and then we will chop him in the malmsey-butt</li>
  <li>in the next room.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>O excellent devise! make a sop of him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Hark! he stirs: shall I strike?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">No, first let's reason with him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Where art thou, keeper? give me a cup of wine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second murderer</li>
  <li>You shall have wine enough, my lord, anon.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>In God's name, what art thou?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>A man, as you are.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li class="number">But not, as I am, royal.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>Nor you, as we are, loyal.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Thy voice is thunder, but thy looks are humble.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>My voice is now the king's, my looks mine own.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>How darkly and how deadly dost thou speak!</li>
  <li class="number">Your eyes do menace me: why look you pale?</li>
  <li>Who sent you hither? Wherefore do you come?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Both</li>
  <li>To, to, to — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>To murder me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Both</li>
  <li>Ay, ay.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li class="number">You scarcely have the hearts to tell me so,</li>
  <li>And therefore cannot have the hearts to do it.</li>
  <li>Wherein, my friends, have I offended you?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Offended us you have not, but the king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>I shall be reconciled to him again.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">Never, my lord; therefore prepare to die.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Are you call'd forth from out a world of men</li>
  <li>To slay the innocent? What is my offence?</li>
  <li>Where are the evidence that do accuse me?</li>
  <li>What lawful quest have given their verdict up</li>
  <li class="number">Unto the frowning judge? or who pronounced</li>
  <li>The bitter sentence of poor Clarence' death?</li>
  <li>Before I be convict by course of law,</li>
  <li>To threaten me with death is most unlawful.</li>
  <li>I charge you, as you hope to have redemption</li>
  <li class="number">By Christ's dear blood shed for our grievous sins,</li>
  <li>That you depart and lay no hands on me</li>
  <li>The deed you undertake is damnable.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>What we will do, we do upon command.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>And he that hath commanded is the king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li class="number">Erroneous vassal! the great King of kings</li>
  <li>Hath in the tables of his law commanded</li>
  <li>That thou shalt do no murder: and wilt thou, then,</li>
  <li>Spurn at his edict and fulfil a man's?</li>
  <li>Take heed; for he holds vengeance in his hands,</li>
  <li class="number">To hurl upon their heads that break his law.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>And that same vengeance doth he hurl on thee,</li>
  <li>For false forswearing and for murder too:</li>
  <li>Thou didst receive the holy sacrament,</li>
  <li>To fight in quarrel of the house of Lancaster.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">And, like a traitor to the name of God,</li>
  <li>Didst break that vow; and with thy treacherous blade</li>
  <li>Unrip'dst the bowels of thy sovereign's son.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>Whom thou wert sworn to cherish and defend.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>How canst thou urge God's dreadful law to us,</li>
  <li class="number">When thou hast broke it in so dear degree?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Alas! for whose sake did I that ill deed?</li>
  <li>For Edward, for my brother, for his sake: Why, sirs,</li>
  <li>He sends ye not to murder me for this</li>
  <li>For in this sin he is as deep as I.</li>
  <li class="number">If God will be revenged for this deed.</li>
  <li>O, know you yet, he doth it publicly,</li>
  <li>Take not the quarrel from his powerful arm;</li>
  <li>He needs no indirect nor lawless course</li>
  <li>To cut off those that have offended him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">Who made thee, then, a bloody minister,</li>
  <li>When gallant-springing brave Plantagenet,</li>
  <li>That princely novice, was struck dead by thee?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>My brother's love, the devil, and my rage.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Thy brother's love, our duty, and thy fault,</li>
  <li class="number">Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Oh, if you love my brother, hate not me;</li>
  <li>I am his brother, and I love him well.</li>
  <li>If you be hired for meed, go back again,</li>
  <li>And I will send you to my brother Gloucester,</li>
  <li class="number">Who shall reward you better for my life</li>
  <li>Than Edward will for tidings of my death.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>You are deceived, your brother Gloucester hates you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>O, no, he loves me, and he holds me dear:</li>
  <li>Go you to him from me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Both</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, so we will.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Tell him, when that our princely father York</li>
  <li>Bless'd his three sons with his victorious arm,</li>
  <li>And charged us from his soul to love each other,</li>
  <li>He little thought of this divided friendship:</li>
  <li class="number">Bid Gloucester think of this, and he will weep.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Ay, millstones; as be lesson'd us to weep.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>O, do not slander him, for he is kind.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Right,</li>
  <li>As snow in harvest. Thou deceivest thyself:</li>
  <li class="number">'Tis he that sent us hither now to slaughter thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>It cannot be; for when I parted with him,</li>
  <li>He hugg'd me in his arms, and swore, with sobs,</li>
  <li>That he would labour my delivery.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>Why, so he doth, now he delivers thee</li>
  <li class="number">From this world's thraldom to the joys of heaven.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Make peace with God, for you must die, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul,</li>
  <li>To counsel me to make my peace with God,</li>
  <li>And art thou yet to thy own soul so blind,</li>
  <li class="number">That thou wilt war with God by murdering me?</li>
  <li>Ah, sirs, consider, he that set you on</li>
  <li>To do this deed will hate you for the deed.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>What shall we do?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Relent, and save your souls.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li class="number">Relent! 'tis cowardly and womanish.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CLARENCE</li>
  <li>Not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish.</li>
  <li>Which of you, if you were a prince's son,</li>
  <li>Being pent from liberty, as I am now,</li>
  <li>if two such murderers as yourselves came to you,</li>
  <li class="number">Would not entreat for life?</li>
  <li>My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks:</li>
  <li>O, if thine eye be not a flatterer,</li>
  <li>Come thou on my side, and entreat for me,</li>
  <li>As you would beg, were you in my distress</li>
  <li class="number">A begging prince what beggar pities not?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>Look behind you, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>Take that, and that: if all this will not do,</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Stabs him</li>
  <li>I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit, with the body</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>A bloody deed, and desperately dispatch'd!</li>
  <li class="number">How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my hands</li>
  <li>Of this most grievous guilty murder done!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Re-enter First Murderer</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>How now! what mean'st thou, that thou help'st me not?</li>
  <li>By heavens, the duke shall know how slack thou art!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Murderer</li>
  <li>I would he knew that I had saved his brother!</li>
  <li class="number">Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say;</li>
  <li>For I repent me that the duke is slain.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Murderer</li>
  <li>So do not I: go, coward as thou art.</li>
  <li>Now must I hide his body in some hole,</li>
  <li>Until the duke take order for his burial:</li>
  <li class="number">And when I have my meed, I must away;</li>
  <li>For this will out, and here I must not stay.</li>
</ol>

</section>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT II</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  London. The palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV sick, QUEEN
ELIZABETH, DORSET, RIVERS, HASTINGS, BUCKINGHAM,
GREY, and others</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Why, so: now have I done a good day's work:</li>
  <li>You peers, continue this united league:</li>
  <li>I every day expect an embassage</li>
  <li>From my Redeemer to redeem me hence;</li>
  <li class="number">And now in peace my soul shall part to heaven,</li>
  <li>Since I have set my friends at peace on earth.</li>
  <li>Rivers and Hastings, take each other's hand;</li>
  <li>Dissemble not your hatred, swear your love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>By heaven, my heart is purged from grudging hate:</li>
  <li class="number">And with my hand I seal my true heart's love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>So thrive I, as I truly swear the like!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Take heed you dally not before your king;</li>
  <li>Lest he that is the supreme King of kings</li>
  <li>Confound your hidden falsehood, and award</li>
  <li class="number">Either of you to be the other's end.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>So prosper I, as I swear perfect love!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>And I, as I love Hastings with my heart!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Madam, yourself are not exempt in this,</li>
  <li>Nor your son Dorset, Buckingham, nor you;</li>
  <li class="number">You have been factious one against the other,</li>
  <li>Wife, love Lord Hastings, let him kiss your hand;</li>
  <li>And what you do, do it unfeignedly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Here, Hastings; I will never more remember</li>
  <li>Our former hatred, so thrive I and mine!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li class="number">Dorset, embrace him; Hastings, love lord marquess.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DORSET</li>
  <li>This interchange of love, I here protest,</li>
  <li>Upon my part shall be unviolable.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>And so swear I, my lord</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">They embrace</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou this league</li>
  <li class="number">With thy embracements to my wife's allies,</li>
  <li>And make me happy in your unity.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hate</li>
  <li>On you or yours,</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To the Queen</li>
  <li>but with all duteous love</li>
  <li class="number">Doth cherish you and yours, God punish me</li>
  <li>With hate in those where I expect most love!</li>
  <li>When I have most need to employ a friend,</li>
  <li>And most assured that he is a friend</li>
  <li>Deep, hollow, treacherous, and full of guile,</li>
  <li class="number">Be he unto me! this do I beg of God,</li>
  <li>When I am cold in zeal to yours.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>A pleasing cordial, princely Buckingham,</li>
  <li>is this thy vow unto my sickly heart.</li>
  <li>There wanteth now our brother Gloucester here,</li>
  <li class="number">To make the perfect period of this peace.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>And, in good time, here comes the noble duke.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter GLOUCESTER</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Good morrow to my sovereign king and queen:</li>
  <li>And, princely peers, a happy time of day!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Happy, indeed, as we have spent the day.</li>
  <li class="number">Brother, we done deeds of charity;</li>
  <li>Made peace enmity, fair love of hate,</li>
  <li>Between these swelling wrong-incensed peers.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>A blessed labour, my most sovereign liege:</li>
  <li>Amongst this princely heap, if any here,</li>
  <li class="number">By false intelligence, or wrong surmise,</li>
  <li>Hold me a foe;</li>
  <li>If I unwittingly, or in my rage,</li>
  <li>Have aught committed that is hardly borne</li>
  <li>By any in this presence, I desire</li>
  <li class="number">To reconcile me to his friendly peace:</li>
  <li>'Tis death to me to be at enmity;</li>
  <li>I hate it, and desire all good men's love.</li>
  <li>First, madam, I entreat true peace of you,</li>
  <li>Which I will purchase with my duteous service;</li>
  <li class="number">Of you, my noble cousin Buckingham,</li>
  <li>If ever any grudge were lodged between us;</li>
  <li>Of you, Lord Rivers, and, Lord Grey, of you;</li>
  <li>That without desert have frown'd on me;</li>
  <li>Dukes, earls, lords, gentlemen; indeed, of all.</li>
  <li class="number">I do not know that Englishman alive</li>
  <li>With whom my soul is any jot at odds</li>
  <li>More than the infant that is born to-night</li>
  <li>I thank my God for my humility.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>A holy day shall this be kept hereafter:</li>
  <li class="number">I would to God all strifes were well compounded.</li>
  <li>My sovereign liege, I do beseech your majesty</li>
  <li>To take our brother Clarence to your grace.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Why, madam, have I offer'd love for this</li>
  <li>To be so bouted in this royal presence?</li>
  <li class="number">Who knows not that the noble duke is dead?</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">They all start</li>
  <li>You do him injury to scorn his corse.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Who knows not he is dead! who knows he is?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>All seeing heaven, what a world is this!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Look I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DORSET</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, my good lord; and no one in this presence</li>
  <li>But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Is Clarence dead? the order was reversed.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>But he, poor soul, by your first order died,</li>
  <li>And that a winged Mercury did bear:</li>
  <li class="number">Some tardy cripple bore the countermand,</li>
  <li>That came too lag to see him buried.</li>
  <li>God grant that some, less noble and less loyal,</li>
  <li>Nearer in bloody thoughts, but not in blood,</li>
  <li>Deserve not worse than wretched Clarence did,</li>
  <li class="number">And yet go current from suspicion!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter DERBY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DORSET</li>
  <li>A boon, my sovereign, for my service done!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>I pray thee, peace: my soul is full of sorrow.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DORSET</li>
  <li>I will not rise, unless your highness grant.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Then speak at once what is it thou demand'st.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DORSET</li>
  <li class="number">The forfeit, sovereign, of my servant's life;</li>
  <li>Who slew to-day a righteous gentleman</li>
  <li>Lately attendant on the Duke of Norfolk.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING EDWARD IV</li>
  <li>Have a tongue to doom my brother's death,</li>
  <li>And shall the same give pardon to a slave?</li>
  <li class="number">My brother slew no man; his fault was thought,</li>
  <li>And yet his punishment was cruel death.</li>
  <li>Who sued to me for him? who, in my rage,</li>
  <li>Kneel'd at my feet, and bade me be advised</li>
  <li>Who spake of brotherhood? who spake of love?</li>
  <li class="number">Who told me how the poor soul did forsake</li>
  <li>The mighty Warwick, and did fight for me?</li>
  <li>Who told me, in the field by Tewksbury</li>
  <li>When Oxford had me down, he rescued me,</li>
  <li>And said, 'Dear brother, live, and be a king'?</li>
  <li class="number">Who told me, when we both lay in the field</li>
  <li>Frozen almost to death, how he did lap me</li>
  <li>Even in his own garments, and gave himself,</li>
  <li>All thin and naked, to the numb cold night?</li>
  <li>All this from my remembrance brutish wrath</li>
  <li class="number">Sinfully pluck'd, and not a man of you</li>
  <li>Had so much grace to put it in my mind.</li>
  <li>But when your carters or your waiting-vassals</li>
  <li>Have done a drunken slaughter, and defaced</li>
  <li>The precious image of our dear Redeemer,</li>
  <li class="number">You straight are on your knees for pardon, pardon;</li>
  <li>And I unjustly too, must grant it you</li>
  <li>But for my brother not a man would speak,</li>
  <li>Nor I, ungracious, speak unto myself</li>
  <li>For him, poor soul. The proudest of you all</li>
  <li class="number">Have been beholding to him in his life;</li>
  <li>Yet none of you would once plead for his life.</li>
  <li>O God, I fear thy justice will take hold</li>
  <li>On me, and you, and mine, and yours for this!</li>
  <li>Come, Hastings, help me to my closet.</li>
  <li class="number">Oh, poor Clarence!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt some with KING EDWARD IV and QUEEN MARGARET</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>This is the fruit of rashness! Mark'd you not</li>
  <li>How that the guilty kindred of the queen</li>
  <li>Look'd pale when they did hear of Clarence' death?</li>
  <li>O, they did urge it still unto the king!</li>
  <li class="number">God will revenge it. But come, let us in,</li>
  <li>To comfort Edward with our company.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>We wait upon your grace.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  The palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the DUCHESS OF YORK, with the two children of CLARENCE</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Boy</li>
  <li>Tell me, good grandam, is our father dead?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>No, boy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Boy</li>
  <li>Why do you wring your hands, and beat your breast,</li>
  <li>And cry 'O Clarence, my unhappy son!'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Girl</li>
  <li class="number">Why do you look on us, and shake your head,</li>
  <li>And call us wretches, orphans, castaways</li>
  <li>If that our noble father be alive?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>My pretty cousins, you mistake me much;</li>
  <li>I do lament the sickness of the king.</li>
  <li class="number">As loath to lose him, not your father's death;</li>
  <li>It were lost sorrow to wail one that's lost.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Boy</li>
  <li>Then, grandam, you conclude that he is dead.</li>
  <li>The king my uncle is to blame for this:</li>
  <li>God will revenge it; whom I will importune</li>
  <li class="number">With daily prayers all to that effect.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Girl</li>
  <li>And so will I.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Peace, children, peace! the king doth love you well:</li>
  <li>Incapable and shallow innocents,</li>
  <li>You cannot guess who caused your father's death.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Boy</li>
  <li class="number">Grandam, we can; for my good uncle Gloucester</li>
  <li>Told me, the king, provoked by the queen,</li>
  <li>Devised impeachments to imprison him :</li>
  <li>And when my uncle told me so, he wept,</li>
  <li>And hugg'd me in his arm, and kindly kiss'd my cheek;</li>
  <li class="number">Bade me rely on him as on my father,</li>
  <li>And he would love me dearly as his child.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Oh, that deceit should steal such gentle shapes,</li>
  <li>And with a virtuous vizard hide foul guile!</li>
  <li>He is my son; yea, and therein my shame;</li>
  <li class="number">Yet from my dugs he drew not this deceit.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Boy</li>
  <li>Think you my uncle did dissemble, grandam?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Ay, boy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Boy</li>
  <li>I cannot think it. Hark! what noise is this?</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH, with her hair about her
ears; RIVERS, and DORSET after her</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Oh, who shall hinder me to wail and weep,</li>
  <li class="number">To chide my fortune, and torment myself?</li>
  <li>I'll join with black despair against my soul,</li>
  <li>And to myself become an enemy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>What means this scene of rude impatience?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>To make an act of tragic violence:</li>
  <li class="number">Edward, my lord, your son, our king, is dead.</li>
  <li>Why grow the branches now the root is wither'd?</li>
  <li>Why wither not the leaves the sap being gone?</li>
  <li>If you will live, lament; if die, be brief,</li>
  <li>That our swift-winged souls may catch the king's;</li>
  <li class="number">Or, like obedient subjects, follow him</li>
  <li>To his new kingdom of perpetual rest.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Ah, so much interest have I in thy sorrow</li>
  <li>As I had title in thy noble husband!</li>
  <li>I have bewept a worthy husband's death,</li>
  <li class="number">And lived by looking on his images:</li>
  <li>But now two mirrors of his princely semblance</li>
  <li>Are crack'd in pieces by malignant death,</li>
  <li>And I for comfort have but one false glass,</li>
  <li>Which grieves me when I see my shame in him.</li>
  <li class="number">Thou art a widow; yet thou art a mother,</li>
  <li>And hast the comfort of thy children left thee:</li>
  <li>But death hath snatch'd my husband from mine arms,</li>
  <li>And pluck'd two crutches from my feeble limbs,</li>
  <li>Edward and Clarence. O, what cause have I,</li>
  <li class="number">Thine being but a moiety of my grief,</li>
  <li>To overgo thy plaints and drown thy cries!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Boy</li>
  <li>Good aunt, you wept not for our father's death;</li>
  <li>How can we aid you with our kindred tears?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Girl</li>
  <li>Our fatherless distress was left unmoan'd;</li>
  <li class="number">Your widow-dolour likewise be unwept!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Give me no help in lamentation;</li>
  <li>I am not barren to bring forth complaints</li>
  <li>All springs reduce their currents to mine eyes,</li>
  <li>That I, being govern'd by the watery moon,</li>
  <li class="number">May send forth plenteous tears to drown the world!</li>
  <li>Oh for my husband, for my dear lord Edward!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Children</li>
  <li>Oh for our father, for our dear lord Clarence!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Alas for both, both mine, Edward and Clarence!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>What stay had I but Edward? and he's gone.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Children</li>
  <li class="number">What stay had we but Clarence? and he's gone.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>What stays had I but they? and they are gone.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Was never widow had so dear a loss!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Children</li>
  <li>Were never orphans had so dear a loss!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Was never mother had so dear a loss!</li>
  <li class="number">Alas, I am the mother of these moans!</li>
  <li>Their woes are parcell'd, mine are general.</li>
  <li>She for an Edward weeps, and so do I;</li>
  <li>I for a Clarence weep, so doth not she:</li>
  <li>These babes for Clarence weep and so do I;</li>
  <li class="number">I for an Edward weep, so do not they:</li>
  <li>Alas, you three, on me, threefold distress'd,</li>
  <li>Pour all your tears! I am your sorrow's nurse,</li>
  <li>And I will pamper it with lamentations.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DORSET</li>
  <li>Comfort, dear mother: God is much displeased</li>
  <li class="number">That you take with unthankfulness, his doing:</li>
  <li>In common worldly things, 'tis call'd ungrateful,</li>
  <li>With dull unwilligness to repay a debt</li>
  <li>Which with a bounteous hand was kindly lent;</li>
  <li>Much more to be thus opposite with heaven,</li>
  <li class="number">For it requires the royal debt it lent you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Madam, bethink you, like a careful mother,</li>
  <li>Of the young prince your son: send straight for him</li>
  <li>Let him be crown'd; in him your comfort lives:</li>
  <li>Drown desperate sorrow in dead Edward's grave,</li>
  <li class="number">And plant your joys in living Edward's throne.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter GLOUCESTER, BUCKINGHAM, DERBY, HASTINGS, and RATCLIFF</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Madam, have comfort: all of us have cause</li>
  <li>To wail the dimming of our shining star;</li>
  <li>But none can cure their harms by wailing them.</li>
  <li>Madam, my mother, I do cry you mercy;</li>
  <li class="number">I did not see your grace: humbly on my knee</li>
  <li>I crave your blessing.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>God bless thee; and put meekness in thy mind,</li>
  <li>Love, charity, obedience, and true duty!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside  Amen; and make me die a good old man!</li>
  <li class="number">That is the butt-end of a mother's blessing:</li>
  <li>I marvel why her grace did leave it out.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>You cloudy princes and heart-sorrowing peers,</li>
  <li>That bear this mutual heavy load of moan,</li>
  <li>Now cheer each other in each other's love</li>
  <li class="number">Though we have spent our harvest of this king,</li>
  <li>We are to reap the harvest of his son.</li>
  <li>The broken rancour of your high-swoln hearts,</li>
  <li>But lately splinter'd, knit, and join'd together,</li>
  <li>Must gently be preserved, cherish'd, and kept:</li>
  <li class="number">Me seemeth good, that, with some little train,</li>
  <li>Forthwith from Ludlow the young prince be fetch'd</li>
  <li>Hither to London, to be crown'd our king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Why with some little train, my Lord of Buckingham?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Marry, my lord, lest, by a multitude,</li>
  <li class="number">The new-heal'd wound of malice should break out,</li>
  <li>Which would be so much the more dangerous</li>
  <li>By how much the estate is green and yet ungovern'd:</li>
  <li>Where every horse bears his commanding rein,</li>
  <li>And may direct his course as please himself,</li>
  <li class="number">As well the fear of harm, as harm apparent,</li>
  <li>In my opinion, ought to be prevented.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>I hope the king made peace with all of us</li>
  <li>And the compact is firm and true in me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>And so in me; and so, I think, in all:</li>
  <li class="number">Yet, since it is but green, it should be put</li>
  <li>To no apparent likelihood of breach,</li>
  <li>Which haply by much company might be urged:</li>
  <li>Therefore I say with noble Buckingham,</li>
  <li>That it is meet so few should fetch the prince.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li class="number">And so say I.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Then be it so; and go we to determine</li>
  <li>Who they shall be that straight shall post to Ludlow.</li>
  <li>Madam, and you, my mother, will you go</li>
  <li>To give your censures in this weighty business?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li class="number">With all our harts.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt all but BUCKINGHAM and GLOUCESTER</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>My lord, whoever journeys to the Prince,</li>
  <li>For God's sake, let not us two be behind;</li>
  <li>For, by the way, I'll sort occasion,</li>
  <li>As index to the story we late talk'd of,</li>
  <li class="number">To part the queen's proud kindred from the king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>My other self, my counsel's consistory,</li>
  <li>My oracle, my prophet! My dear cousin,</li>
  <li>I, like a child, will go by thy direction.</li>
  <li>Towards Ludlow then, for we'll not stay behind.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  London. A street.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter two Citizens meeting</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Citizen</li>
  <li>Neighbour, well met: whither away so fast?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Citizen</li>
  <li>I promise you, I scarcely know myself:</li>
  <li>Hear you the news abroad?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Citizen</li>
  <li>Ay, that the king is dead.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Citizen</li>
  <li class="number">Bad news, by'r lady; seldom comes the better:</li>
  <li>I fear, I fear 'twill prove a troublous world.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter another Citizen</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Citizen</li>
  <li>Neighbours, God speed!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Citizen</li>
  <li>Give you good morrow, sir.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Citizen</li>
  <li>Doth this news hold of good King Edward's death?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Citizen</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, sir, it is too true; God help the while!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Citizen</li>
  <li>Then, masters, look to see a troublous world.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Citizen</li>
  <li>No, no; by God's good grace his son shall reign.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Citizen</li>
  <li>Woe to the land that's govern'd by a child!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Citizen</li>
  <li>In him there is a hope of government,</li>
  <li class="number">That in his nonage council under him,</li>
  <li>And in his full and ripen'd years himself,</li>
  <li>No doubt, shall then and till then govern well.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Citizen</li>
  <li>So stood the state when Henry the Sixth</li>
  <li>Was crown'd in Paris but at nine months old.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Citizen</li>
  <li class="number">Stood the state so? No, no, good friends, God wot;</li>
  <li>For then this land was famously enrich'd</li>
  <li>With politic grave counsel; then the king</li>
  <li>Had virtuous uncles to protect his grace.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Citizen</li>
  <li>Why, so hath this, both by the father and mother.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Citizen</li>
  <li class="number">Better it were they all came by the father,</li>
  <li>Or by the father there were none at all;</li>
  <li>For emulation now, who shall be nearest,</li>
  <li>Will touch us all too near, if God prevent not.</li>
  <li>O, full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester!</li>
  <li class="number">And the queen's sons and brothers haught and proud:</li>
  <li>And were they to be ruled, and not to rule,</li>
  <li>This sickly land might solace as before.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">First Citizen</li>
  <li>Come, come, we fear the worst; all shall be well.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Citizen</li>
  <li>When clouds appear, wise men put on their cloaks;</li>
  <li class="number">When great leaves fall, the winter is at hand;</li>
  <li>When the sun sets, who doth not look for night?</li>
  <li>Untimely storms make men expect a dearth.</li>
  <li>All may be well; but, if God sort it so,</li>
  <li>'Tis more than we deserve, or I expect.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Citizen</li>
  <li class="number">Truly, the souls of men are full of dread:</li>
  <li>Ye cannot reason almost with a man</li>
  <li>That looks not heavily and full of fear.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Citizen</li>
  <li>Before the times of change, still is it so:</li>
  <li>By a divine instinct men's minds mistrust</li>
  <li class="number">Ensuing dangers; as by proof, we see</li>
  <li>The waters swell before a boisterous storm.</li>
  <li>But leave it all to God. whither away?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Citizen</li>
  <li>Marry, we were sent for to the justices.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Citizen</li>
  <li>And so was I: I'll bear you company.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE IV.  London. The palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the ARCHBISHOP OF YORK, young YORK, QUEEN
ELIZABETH, and the DUCHESS OF YORK</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ARCHBISHOP OF YORK</li>
  <li>Last night, I hear, they lay at Northampton;</li>
  <li>At Stony-Stratford will they be to-night:</li>
  <li>To-morrow, or next day, they will be here.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>I long with all my heart to see the prince:</li>
  <li class="number">I hope he is much grown since last I saw him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>But I hear, no; they say my son of York</li>
  <li>Hath almost overta'en him in his growth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Ay, mother; but I would not have it so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Why, my young cousin, it is good to grow.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">Grandam, one night, as we did sit at supper,</li>
  <li>My uncle Rivers talk'd how I did grow</li>
  <li>More than my brother: 'Ay,' quoth my uncle</li>
  <li>Gloucester,</li>
  <li>'Small herbs have grace, great weeds do grow apace:'</li>
  <li class="number">And since, methinks, I would not grow so fast,</li>
  <li>Because sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Good faith, good faith, the saying did not hold</li>
  <li>In him that did object the same to thee;</li>
  <li>He was the wretched'st thing when he was young,</li>
  <li class="number">So long a-growing and so leisurely,</li>
  <li>That, if this rule were true, he should be gracious.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ARCHBISHOP OF YORK</li>
  <li>Why, madam, so, no doubt, he is.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>I hope he is; but yet let mothers doubt.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Now, by my troth, if I had been remember'd,</li>
  <li class="number">I could have given my uncle's grace a flout,</li>
  <li>To touch his growth nearer than he touch'd mine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>How, my pretty York? I pray thee, let me hear it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Marry, they say my uncle grew so fast</li>
  <li>That he could gnaw a crust at two hours old</li>
  <li class="number">'Twas full two years ere I could get a tooth.</li>
  <li>Grandam, this would have been a biting jest.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>I pray thee, pretty York, who told thee this?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Grandam, his nurse.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>His nurse! why, she was dead ere thou wert born.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">If 'twere not she, I cannot tell who told me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>A parlous boy: go to, you are too shrewd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ARCHBISHOP OF YORK</li>
  <li>Good madam, be not angry with the child.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Pitchers have ears.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Messenger</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ARCHBISHOP OF YORK</li>
  <li>Here comes a messenger. What news?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li class="number">Such news, my lord, as grieves me to unfold.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>How fares the prince?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li>Well, madam, and in health.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>What is thy news then?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li>Lord Rivers and Lord Grey are sent to Pomfret,</li>
  <li class="number">With them Sir Thomas Vaughan, prisoners.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Who hath committed them?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li>The mighty dukes</li>
  <li>Gloucester and Buckingham.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>For what offence?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li class="number">The sum of all I can, I have disclosed;</li>
  <li>Why or for what these nobles were committed</li>
  <li>Is all unknown to me, my gracious lady.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Ay me, I see the downfall of our house!</li>
  <li>The tiger now hath seized the gentle hind;</li>
  <li class="number">Insulting tyranny begins to jet</li>
  <li>Upon the innocent and aweless throne:</li>
  <li>Welcome, destruction, death, and massacre!</li>
  <li>I see, as in a map, the end of all.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Accursed and unquiet wrangling days,</li>
  <li class="number">How many of you have mine eyes beheld!</li>
  <li>My husband lost his life to get the crown;</li>
  <li>And often up and down my sons were toss'd,</li>
  <li>For me to joy and weep their gain and loss:</li>
  <li>And being seated, and domestic broils</li>
  <li class="number">Clean over-blown, themselves, the conquerors.</li>
  <li>Make war upon themselves; blood against blood,</li>
  <li>Self against self: O, preposterous</li>
  <li>And frantic outrage, end thy damned spleen;</li>
  <li>Or let me die, to look on death no more!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">Come, come, my boy; we will to sanctuary.</li>
  <li>Madam, farewell.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>I'll go along with you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>You have no cause.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ARCHBISHOP OF YORK</li>
  <li>My gracious lady, go;</li>
  <li class="number">And thither bear your treasure and your goods.</li>
  <li>For my part, I'll resign unto your grace</li>
  <li>The seal I keep: and so betide to me</li>
  <li>As well I tender you and all of yours!</li>
  <li>Come, I'll conduct you to the sanctuary.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT III</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  London. A street.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">The trumpets sound. Enter the young PRINCE EDWARD,
GLOUCESTER, BUCKINGHAM, CARDINAL, CATESBY, and others</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Welcome, sweet prince, to London, to your chamber.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Welcome, dear cousin, my thoughts' sovereign</li>
  <li>The weary way hath made you melancholy.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>No, uncle; but our crosses on the way</li>
  <li class="number">Have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy</li>
  <li>I want more uncles here to welcome me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your years</li>
  <li>Hath not yet dived into the world's deceit</li>
  <li>Nor more can you distinguish of a man</li>
  <li class="number">Than of his outward show; which, God he knows,</li>
  <li>Seldom or never jumpeth with the heart.</li>
  <li>Those uncles which you want were dangerous;</li>
  <li>Your grace attended to their sugar'd words,</li>
  <li>But look'd not on the poison of their hearts :</li>
  <li class="number">God keep you from them, and from such false friends!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>God keep me from false friends! but they were none.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>My lord, the mayor of London comes to greet you.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Lord Mayor and his train</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Lord Mayor</li>
  <li>God bless your grace with health and happy days!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>I thank you, good my lord; and thank you all.</li>
  <li class="number">I thought my mother, and my brother York,</li>
  <li>Would long ere this have met us on the way</li>
  <li>Fie, what a slug is Hastings, that he comes not</li>
  <li>To tell us whether they will come or no!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter HASTINGS</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>And, in good time, here comes the sweating lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">Welcome, my lord: what, will our mother come?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>On what occasion, God he knows, not I,</li>
  <li>The queen your mother, and your brother York,</li>
  <li>Have taken sanctuary: the tender prince</li>
  <li>Would fain have come with me to meet your grace,</li>
  <li class="number">But by his mother was perforce withheld.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Fie, what an indirect and peevish course</li>
  <li>Is this of hers! Lord cardinal, will your grace</li>
  <li>Persuade the queen to send the Duke of York</li>
  <li>Unto his princely brother presently?</li>
  <li class="number">If she deny, Lord Hastings, go with him,</li>
  <li>And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CARDINAL</li>
  <li>My Lord of Buckingham, if my weak oratory</li>
  <li>Can from his mother win the Duke of York,</li>
  <li>Anon expect him here; but if she be obdurate</li>
  <li class="number">To mild entreaties, God in heaven forbid</li>
  <li>We should infringe the holy privilege</li>
  <li>Of blessed sanctuary! not for all this land</li>
  <li>Would I be guilty of so deep a sin.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>You are too senseless — obstinate, my lord,</li>
  <li class="number">Too ceremonious and traditional</li>
  <li>Weigh it but with the grossness of this age,</li>
  <li>You break not sanctuary in seizing him.</li>
  <li>The benefit thereof is always granted</li>
  <li>To those whose dealings have deserved the place,</li>
  <li class="number">And those who have the wit to claim the place:</li>
  <li>This prince hath neither claim'd it nor deserved it;</li>
  <li>And therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it:</li>
  <li>Then, taking him from thence that is not there,</li>
  <li>You break no privilege nor charter there.</li>
  <li class="number">Oft have I heard of sanctuary men;</li>
  <li>But sanctuary children ne'er till now.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CARDINAL</li>
  <li>My lord, you shall o'er-rule my mind for once.</li>
  <li>Come on, Lord Hastings, will you go with me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>I go, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">Good lords, make all the speedy haste you may.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt CARDINAL and HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Say, uncle Gloucester, if our brother come,</li>
  <li>Where shall we sojourn till our coronation?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Where it seems best unto your royal self.</li>
  <li>If I may counsel you, some day or two</li>
  <li class="number">Your highness shall repose you at the Tower:</li>
  <li>Then where you please, and shall be thought most fit</li>
  <li>For your best health and recreation.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>I do not like the Tower, of any place.</li>
  <li>Did Julius Caesar build that place, my lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">He did, my gracious lord, begin that place;</li>
  <li>Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edified.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>Is it upon record, or else reported</li>
  <li>Successively from age to age, he built it?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Upon record, my gracious lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">But say, my lord, it were not register'd,</li>
  <li>Methinks the truth should live from age to age,</li>
  <li>As 'twere retail'd to all posterity,</li>
  <li>Even to the general all-ending day.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Aside  So wise so young, they say, do never</li>
  <li class="number">live long.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>What say you, uncle?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>I say, without characters, fame lives long.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Aside</li>
  <li>Thus, like the formal vice, Iniquity,</li>
  <li>I moralize two meanings in one word.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">That Julius Caesar was a famous man;</li>
  <li>With what his valour did enrich his wit,</li>
  <li>His wit set down to make his valour live</li>
  <li>Death makes no conquest of this conqueror;</li>
  <li>For now he lives in fame, though not in life.</li>
  <li class="number">I'll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham —  </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>What, my gracious lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>An if I live until I be a man,</li>
  <li>I'll win our ancient right in France again,</li>
  <li>Or die a soldier, as I lived a king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Aside  Short summers lightly have a forward spring.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter young YORK, HASTINGS, and the CARDINAL</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Now, in good time, here comes the Duke of York.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>Richard of York! how fares our loving brother?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Well, my dread lord; so must I call you now.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>Ay, brother, to our grief, as it is yours:</li>
  <li class="number">Too late he died that might have kept that title,</li>
  <li>Which by his death hath lost much majesty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>How fares our cousin, noble Lord of York?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord,</li>
  <li>You said that idle weeds are fast in growth</li>
  <li class="number">The prince my brother hath outgrown me far.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>He hath, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>And therefore is he idle?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>O, my fair cousin, I must not say so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Then is he more beholding to you than I.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">He may command me as my sovereign;</li>
  <li>But you have power in me as in a kinsman.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>I pray you, uncle, give me this dagger.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>My dagger, little cousin? with all my heart.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>A beggar, brother?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">Of my kind uncle, that I know will give;</li>
  <li>And being but a toy, which is no grief to give.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>A greater gift! O, that's the sword to it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>A gentle cousin, were it light enough.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">O, then, I see, you will part but with light gifts;</li>
  <li>In weightier things you'll say a beggar nay.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>It is too heavy for your grace to wear.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>I weigh it lightly, were it heavier.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>What, would you have my weapon, little lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">I would, that I might thank you as you call me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>How?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Little.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>My Lord of York will still be cross in talk:</li>
  <li>Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li class="number">You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me:</li>
  <li>Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me;</li>
  <li>Because that I am little, like an ape,</li>
  <li>He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>With what a sharp-provided wit he reasons!</li>
  <li class="number">To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle,</li>
  <li>He prettily and aptly taunts himself:</li>
  <li>So cunning and so young is wonderful.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>My lord, will't please you pass along?</li>
  <li>Myself and my good cousin Buckingham</li>
  <li class="number">Will to your mother, to entreat of her</li>
  <li>To meet you at the Tower and welcome you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>What, will you go unto the Tower, my lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>My lord protector needs will have it so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Why, what should you fear?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">YORK</li>
  <li>Marry, my uncle Clarence' angry ghost:</li>
  <li>My grandam told me he was murdered there.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li>I fear no uncles dead.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Nor none that live, I hope.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">PRINCE EDWARD</li>
  <li class="number">An if they live, I hope I need not fear.</li>
  <li>But come, my lord; and with a heavy heart,</li>
  <li>Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">A Sennet. Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER, BUCKINGHAM
and CATESBY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Think you, my lord, this little prating York</li>
  <li>Was not incensed by his subtle mother</li>
  <li class="number">To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>No doubt, no doubt; O, 'tis a parlous boy;</li>
  <li>Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable</li>
  <li>He is all the mother's, from the top to toe.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Well, let them rest. Come hither, Catesby.</li>
  <li class="number">Thou art sworn as deeply to effect what we intend</li>
  <li>As closely to conceal what we impart:</li>
  <li>Thou know'st our reasons urged upon the way;</li>
  <li>What think'st thou? is it not an easy matter</li>
  <li>To make William Lord Hastings of our mind,</li>
  <li class="number">For the instalment of this noble duke</li>
  <li>In the seat royal of this famous isle?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>He for his father's sake so loves the prince,</li>
  <li>That he will not be won to aught against him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>What think'st thou, then, of Stanley? what will he?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li class="number">He will do all in all as Hastings doth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Well, then, no more but this: go, gentle Catesby,</li>
  <li>And, as it were far off sound thou Lord Hastings,</li>
  <li>How doth he stand affected to our purpose;</li>
  <li>And summon him to-morrow to the Tower,</li>
  <li class="number">To sit about the coronation.</li>
  <li>If thou dost find him tractable to us,</li>
  <li>Encourage him, and show him all our reasons:</li>
  <li>If he be leaden, icy-cold, unwilling,</li>
  <li>Be thou so too; and so break off your talk,</li>
  <li class="number">And give us notice of his inclination:</li>
  <li>For we to-morrow hold divided councils,</li>
  <li>Wherein thyself shalt highly be employ'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Commend me to Lord William: tell him, Catesby,</li>
  <li>His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries</li>
  <li class="number">To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret-castle;</li>
  <li>And bid my friend, for joy of this good news,</li>
  <li>Give mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Good Catesby, go, effect this business soundly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>My good lords both, with all the heed I may.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>You shall, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>At Crosby Place, there shall you find us both.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit CATESBY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we perceive</li>
  <li>Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Chop off his head, man; somewhat we will do:</li>
  <li>And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me</li>
  <li>The earldom of Hereford, and the moveables</li>
  <li>Whereof the king my brother stood possess'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>I'll claim that promise at your grace's hands.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">And look to have it yielded with all willingness.</li>
  <li>Come, let us sup betimes, that afterwards</li>
  <li>We may digest our complots in some form.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  Before Lord Hastings' house.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Messenger</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li>What, ho! my lord!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Within  Who knocks at the door?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li>A messenger from the Lord Stanley.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter HASTINGS</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>What is't o'clock?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li class="number">Upon the stroke of four.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Cannot thy master sleep these tedious nights?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li>So it should seem by that I have to say.</li>
  <li>First, he commends him to your noble lordship.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>And then?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li class="number">And then he sends you word</li>
  <li>He dreamt to-night the boar had razed his helm:</li>
  <li>Besides, he says there are two councils held;</li>
  <li>And that may be determined at the one</li>
  <li>which may make you and him to rue at the other.</li>
  <li class="number">Therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure,</li>
  <li>If presently you will take horse with him,</li>
  <li>And with all speed post with him toward the north,</li>
  <li>To shun the danger that his soul divines.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord;</li>
  <li class="number">Bid him not fear the separated councils</li>
  <li>His honour and myself are at the one,</li>
  <li>And at the other is my servant Catesby</li>
  <li>Where nothing can proceed that toucheth us</li>
  <li>Whereof I shall not have intelligence.</li>
  <li class="number">Tell him his fears are shallow, wanting instance:</li>
  <li>And for his dreams, I wonder he is so fond</li>
  <li>To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers</li>
  <li>To fly the boar before the boar pursues,</li>
  <li>Were to incense the boar to follow us</li>
  <li class="number">And make pursuit where he did mean no chase.</li>
  <li>Go, bid thy master rise and come to me</li>
  <li>And we will both together to the Tower,</li>
  <li>Where, he shall see, the boar will use us kindly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li>My gracious lord, I'll tell him what you say.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter CATESBY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li class="number">Many good morrows to my noble lord!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Good morrow, Catesby; you are early stirring</li>
  <li>What news, what news, in this our tottering state?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord;</li>
  <li>And I believe twill never stand upright</li>
  <li class="number">Tim Richard wear the garland of the realm.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>How! wear the garland! dost thou mean the crown?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>Ay, my good lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders</li>
  <li>Ere I will see the crown so foul misplaced.</li>
  <li class="number">But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>Ay, on my life; and hopes to find forward</li>
  <li>Upon his party for the gain thereof:</li>
  <li>And thereupon he sends you this good news,</li>
  <li>That this same very day your enemies,</li>
  <li class="number">The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Indeed, I am no mourner for that news,</li>
  <li>Because they have been still mine enemies:</li>
  <li>But, that I'll give my voice on Richard's side,</li>
  <li>To bar my master's heirs in true descent,</li>
  <li class="number">God knows I will not do it, to the death.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>God keep your lordship in that gracious mind!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month hence,</li>
  <li>That they who brought me in my master's hate</li>
  <li>I live to look upon their tragedy.</li>
  <li class="number">I tell thee, Catesby — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>What, my lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Ere a fortnight make me elder,</li>
  <li>I'll send some packing that yet think not on it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>'Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord,</li>
  <li class="number">When men are unprepared and look not for it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out</li>
  <li>With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: and so 'twill do</li>
  <li>With some men else, who think themselves as safe</li>
  <li>As thou and I; who, as thou know'st, are dear</li>
  <li class="number">To princely Richard and to Buckingham.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>The princes both make high account of you;</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Aside</li>
  <li>For they account his head upon the bridge.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>I know they do; and I have well deserved it.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter STANLEY</li>
  <li>Come on, come on; where is your boar-spear, man?</li>
  <li class="number">Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li>My lord, good morrow; good morrow, Catesby:</li>
  <li>You may jest on, but, by the holy rood,</li>
  <li>I do not like these several councils, I.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>My lord,</li>
  <li class="number">I hold my life as dear as you do yours;</li>
  <li>And never in my life, I do protest,</li>
  <li>Was it more precious to me than 'tis now:</li>
  <li>Think you, but that I know our state secure,</li>
  <li>I would be so triumphant as I am?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li class="number">The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London,</li>
  <li>Were jocund, and supposed their state was sure,</li>
  <li>And they indeed had no cause to mistrust;</li>
  <li>But yet, you see how soon the day o'ercast.</li>
  <li>This sudden stag of rancour I misdoubt:</li>
  <li class="number">Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward!</li>
  <li>What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Come, come, have with you. Wot you what, my lord?</li>
  <li>To-day the lords you talk of are beheaded.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LORD STANLEY</li>
  <li>They, for their truth, might better wear their heads</li>
  <li class="number">Than some that have accused them wear their hats.</li>
  <li>But come, my lord, let us away.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Pursuivant</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Go on before; I'll talk with this good fellow.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt STANLEY and CATESBY</li>
  <li>How now, sirrah! how goes the world with thee?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Pursuivant</li>
  <li>The better that your lordship please to ask.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li class="number">I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now</li>
  <li>Than when I met thee last where now we meet:</li>
  <li>Then was I going prisoner to the Tower,</li>
  <li>By the suggestion of the queen's allies;</li>
  <li>But now, I tell thee — keep it to thyself — </li>
  <li class="number">This day those enemies are put to death,</li>
  <li>And I in better state than e'er I was.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Pursuivant</li>
  <li>God hold it, to your honour's good content!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Gramercy, fellow: there, drink that for me.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Throws him his purse</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Pursuivant</li>
  <li>God save your lordship!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Priest</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Priest</li>
  <li class="number">Well met, my lord; I am glad to see your honour.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>I thank thee, good Sir John, with all my heart.</li>
  <li>I am in your debt for your last exercise;</li>
  <li>Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">He whispers in his ear</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter BUCKINGHAM</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>What, talking with a priest, lord chamberlain?</li>
  <li class="number">Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest;</li>
  <li>Your honour hath no shriving work in hand.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Good faith, and when I met this holy man,</li>
  <li>Those men you talk of came into my mind.</li>
  <li>What, go you toward the Tower?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">I do, my lord; but long I shall not stay</li>
  <li>I shall return before your lordship thence.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>'Tis like enough, for I stay dinner there.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Aside  And supper too, although thou know'st it not.</li>
  <li>Come, will you go?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li class="number">I'll wait upon your lordship.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  Pomfret Castle.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter RATCLIFF, with halberds, carrying RIVERS,
GREY, and VAUGHAN to death</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>Come, bring forth the prisoners.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Sir Richard Ratcliff, let me tell thee this:</li>
  <li>To-day shalt thou behold a subject die</li>
  <li>For truth, for duty, and for loyalty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GREY</li>
  <li class="number">God keep the prince from all the pack of you!</li>
  <li>A knot you are of damned blood-suckers!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">VAUGHAN</li>
  <li>You live that shall cry woe for this after.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>Dispatch; the limit of your lives is out.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison,</li>
  <li class="number">Fatal and ominous to noble peers!</li>
  <li>Within the guilty closure of thy walls</li>
  <li>Richard the second here was hack'd to death;</li>
  <li>And, for more slander to thy dismal seat,</li>
  <li>We give thee up our guiltless blood to drink.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GREY</li>
  <li class="number">Now Margaret's curse is fall'n upon our heads,</li>
  <li>For standing by when Richard stabb'd her son.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Then cursed she Hastings, then cursed she Buckingham,</li>
  <li>Then cursed she Richard. O, remember, God</li>
  <li>To hear her prayers for them, as now for us</li>
  <li class="number">And for my sister and her princely sons,</li>
  <li>Be satisfied, dear God, with our true blood,</li>
  <li>Which, as thou know'st, unjustly must be spilt.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>Make haste; the hour of death is expiate.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RIVERS</li>
  <li>Come, Grey, come, Vaughan, let us all embrace:</li>
  <li class="number">And take our leave, until we meet in heaven.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE IV.  The Tower of London.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter BUCKINGHAM, DERBY, HASTINGS, the BISHOP OF
ELY, RATCLIFF, LOVEL, with others, and take their
seats at a table</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>My lords, at once: the cause why we are met</li>
  <li>Is, to determine of the coronation.</li>
  <li>In God's name, speak: when is the royal day?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Are all things fitting for that royal time?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li class="number">It is, and wants but nomination.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BISHOP OF ELY</li>
  <li>To-morrow, then, I judge a happy day.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Who knows the lord protector's mind herein?</li>
  <li>Who is most inward with the royal duke?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BISHOP OF ELY</li>
  <li>Your grace, we think, should soonest know his mind.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">Who, I, my lord I we know each other's faces,</li>
  <li>But for our hearts, he knows no more of mine,</li>
  <li>Than I of yours;</li>
  <li>Nor I no more of his, than you of mine.</li>
  <li>Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li class="number">I thank his grace, I know he loves me well;</li>
  <li>But, for his purpose in the coronation.</li>
  <li>I have not sounded him, nor he deliver'd</li>
  <li>His gracious pleasure any way therein:</li>
  <li>But you, my noble lords, may name the time;</li>
  <li class="number">And in the duke's behalf I'll give my voice,</li>
  <li>Which, I presume, he'll take in gentle part.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter GLOUCESTER</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BISHOP OF ELY</li>
  <li>Now in good time, here comes the duke himself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>My noble lords and cousins all, good morrow.</li>
  <li>I have been long a sleeper; but, I hope,</li>
  <li class="number">My absence doth neglect no great designs,</li>
  <li>Which by my presence might have been concluded.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Had not you come upon your cue, my lord</li>
  <li>William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part —  </li>
  <li>I mean, your voice —  for crowning of the king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Than my Lord Hastings no man might be bolder;</li>
  <li>His lordship knows me well, and loves me well.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>I thank your grace.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>My lord of Ely!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BISHOP OF ELY</li>
  <li>My lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">When I was last in Holborn,</li>
  <li>I saw good strawberries in your garden there</li>
  <li>I do beseech you send for some of them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BISHOP OF ELY</li>
  <li>Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Drawing him aside</li>
  <li class="number">Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business,</li>
  <li>And finds the testy gentleman so hot,</li>
  <li>As he will lose his head ere give consent</li>
  <li>His master's son, as worshipful as he terms it,</li>
  <li>Shall lose the royalty of England's throne.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">Withdraw you hence, my lord, I'll follow you.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit GLOUCESTER, BUCKINGHAM following</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li>We have not yet set down this day of triumph.</li>
  <li>To-morrow, in mine opinion, is too sudden;</li>
  <li>For I myself am not so well provided</li>
  <li>As else I would be, were the day prolong'd.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Re-enter BISHOP OF ELY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BISHOP OF ELY</li>
  <li class="number">Where is my lord protector? I have sent for these</li>
  <li>strawberries.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>His grace looks cheerfully and smooth to-day;</li>
  <li>There's some conceit or other likes him well,</li>
  <li>When he doth bid good morrow with such a spirit.</li>
  <li class="number">I think there's never a man in Christendom</li>
  <li>That can less hide his love or hate than he;</li>
  <li>For by his face straight shall you know his heart.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li>What of his heart perceive you in his face</li>
  <li>By any likelihood he show'd to-day?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li class="number">Marry, that with no man here he is offended;</li>
  <li>For, were he, he had shown it in his looks.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li>I pray God he be not, I say.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Re-enter GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>I pray you all, tell me what they deserve</li>
  <li>That do conspire my death with devilish plots</li>
  <li class="number">Of damned witchcraft, and that have prevail'd</li>
  <li>Upon my body with their hellish charms?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>The tender love I bear your grace, my lord,</li>
  <li>Makes me most forward in this noble presence</li>
  <li>To doom the offenders, whatsoever they be</li>
  <li class="number">I say, my lord, they have deserved death.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Then be your eyes the witness of this ill:</li>
  <li>See how I am bewitch'd; behold mine arm</li>
  <li>Is, like a blasted sapling, wither'd up:</li>
  <li>And this is Edward's wife, that monstrous witch,</li>
  <li class="number">Consorted with that harlot strumpet Shore,</li>
  <li>That by their witchcraft thus have marked me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>If they have done this thing, my gracious lord — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>If I thou protector of this damned strumpet — </li>
  <li>Tellest thou me of 'ifs'?  Thou art a traitor:</li>
  <li class="number">Off with his head! Now, by Saint Paul I swear,</li>
  <li>I will not dine until I see the same.</li>
  <li>Lovel and Ratcliff, look that it be done:</li>
  <li>The rest, that love me, rise and follow me.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt all but HASTINGS, RATCLIFF, and LOVEL</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>Woe, woe for England! not a whit for me;</li>
  <li class="number">For I, too fond, might have prevented this.</li>
  <li>Stanley did dream the boar did raze his helm;</li>
  <li>But I disdain'd it, and did scorn to fly:</li>
  <li>Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble,</li>
  <li>And startled, when he look'd upon the Tower,</li>
  <li class="number">As loath to bear me to the slaughter-house.</li>
  <li>O, now I want the priest that spake to me:</li>
  <li>I now repent I told the pursuivant</li>
  <li>As 'twere triumphing at mine enemies,</li>
  <li>How they at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd,</li>
  <li class="number">And I myself secure in grace and favour.</li>
  <li>O Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse</li>
  <li>Is lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>Dispatch, my lord; the duke would be at dinner:</li>
  <li>Make a short shrift; he longs to see your head.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li class="number">O momentary grace of mortal men,</li>
  <li>Which we more hunt for than the grace of God!</li>
  <li>Who builds his hopes in air of your good looks,</li>
  <li>Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast,</li>
  <li>Ready, with every nod, to tumble down</li>
  <li class="number">Into the fatal bowels of the deep.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LOVEL</li>
  <li>Come, come, dispatch; 'tis bootless to exclaim.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HASTINGS</li>
  <li>O bloody Richard! miserable England!</li>
  <li>I prophesy the fearful'st time to thee</li>
  <li>That ever wretched age hath look'd upon.</li>
  <li class="number">Come, lead me to the block; bear him my head.</li>
  <li>They smile at me that shortly shall be dead.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE V.  The Tower-walls.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM, in rotten armour,
marvellous ill-favoured</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Come, cousin, canst thou quake, and change thy colour,</li>
  <li>Murder thy breath in the middle of a word,</li>
  <li>And then begin again, and stop again,</li>
  <li>As if thou wert distraught and mad with terror?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">Tut, I can counterfeit the deep tragedian;</li>
  <li>Speak and look back, and pry on every side,</li>
  <li>Tremble and start at wagging of a straw,</li>
  <li>Intending deep suspicion: ghastly looks</li>
  <li>Are at my service, like enforced smiles;</li>
  <li class="number">And both are ready in their offices,</li>
  <li>At any time, to grace my stratagems.</li>
  <li>But what, is Catesby gone?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>He is; and, see, he brings the mayor along.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Lord Mayor and CATESBY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Lord mayor —  </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Look to the drawbridge there!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Hark! a drum.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Catesby, o'erlook the walls.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Lord mayor, the reason we have sent — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Look back, defend thee, here are enemies.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">God and our innocency defend and guard us!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Be patient, they are friends, Ratcliff and Lovel.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter LOVEL and RATCLIFF, with HASTINGS' head</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LOVEL</li>
  <li>Here is the head of that ignoble traitor,</li>
  <li>The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>So dear I loved the man, that I must weep.</li>
  <li class="number">I took him for the plainest harmless creature</li>
  <li>That breathed upon this earth a Christian;</li>
  <li>Made him my book wherein my soul recorded</li>
  <li>The history of all her secret thoughts:</li>
  <li>So smooth he daub'd his vice with show of virtue,</li>
  <li class="number">That, his apparent open guilt omitted,</li>
  <li>I mean, his conversation with Shore's wife,</li>
  <li>He lived from all attainder of suspect.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Well, well, he was the covert'st shelter'd traitor</li>
  <li>That ever lived.</li>
  <li class="number">Would you imagine, or almost believe,</li>
  <li>Were't not that, by great preservation,</li>
  <li>We live to tell it you, the subtle traitor</li>
  <li>This day had plotted, in the council-house</li>
  <li>To murder me and my good Lord of Gloucester?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Lord Mayor</li>
  <li class="number">What, had he so?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>What, think You we are Turks or infidels?</li>
  <li>Or that we would, against the form of law,</li>
  <li>Proceed thus rashly to the villain's death,</li>
  <li>But that the extreme peril of the case,</li>
  <li class="number">The peace of England and our persons' safety,</li>
  <li>Enforced us to this execution?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Lord Mayor</li>
  <li>Now, fair befall you! he deserved his death;</li>
  <li>And you my good lords, both have well proceeded,</li>
  <li>To warn false traitors from the like attempts.</li>
  <li class="number">I never look'd for better at his hands,</li>
  <li>After he once fell in with Mistress Shore.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Yet had not we determined he should die,</li>
  <li>Until your lordship came to see his death;</li>
  <li>Which now the loving haste of these our friends,</li>
  <li class="number">Somewhat against our meaning, have prevented:</li>
  <li>Because, my lord, we would have had you heard</li>
  <li>The traitor speak, and timorously confess</li>
  <li>The manner and the purpose of his treason;</li>
  <li>That you might well have signified the same</li>
  <li class="number">Unto the citizens, who haply may</li>
  <li>Misconstrue us in him and wail his death.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Lord Mayor</li>
  <li>But, my good lord, your grace's word shall serve,</li>
  <li>As well as I had seen and heard him speak</li>
  <li>And doubt you not, right noble princes both,</li>
  <li class="number">But I'll acquaint our duteous citizens</li>
  <li>With all your just proceedings in this cause.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>And to that end we wish'd your lord-ship here,</li>
  <li>To avoid the carping censures of the world.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>But since you come too late of our intents,</li>
  <li class="number">Yet witness what you hear we did intend:</li>
  <li>And so, my good lord mayor, we bid farewell.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit Lord Mayor</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham.</li>
  <li>The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post:</li>
  <li>There, at your meet'st advantage of the time,</li>
  <li class="number">Infer the bastardy of Edward's children:</li>
  <li>Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen,</li>
  <li>Only for saying he would make his son</li>
  <li>Heir to the crown; meaning indeed his house,</li>
  <li>Which, by the sign thereof was termed so.</li>
  <li class="number">Moreover, urge his hateful luxury</li>
  <li>And bestial appetite in change of lust;</li>
  <li>Which stretched to their servants, daughters, wives,</li>
  <li>Even where his lustful eye or savage heart,</li>
  <li>Without control, listed to make his prey.</li>
  <li class="number">Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person:</li>
  <li>Tell them, when that my mother went with child</li>
  <li>Of that unsatiate Edward, noble York</li>
  <li>My princely father then had wars in France</li>
  <li>And, by just computation of the time,</li>
  <li class="number">Found that the issue was not his begot;</li>
  <li>Which well appeared in his lineaments,</li>
  <li>Being nothing like the noble duke my father:</li>
  <li>But touch this sparingly, as 'twere far off,</li>
  <li>Because you know, my lord, my mother lives.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">Fear not, my lord, I'll play the orator</li>
  <li>As if the golden fee for which I plead</li>
  <li>Were for myself: and so, my lord, adieu.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's Castle;</li>
  <li>Where you shall find me well accompanied</li>
  <li class="number">With reverend fathers and well-learned bishops.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>I go: and towards three or four o'clock</li>
  <li>Look for the news that the Guildhall affords.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit BUCKINGHAM</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Go, Lovel, with all speed to Doctor Shaw;</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To CATESBY</li>
  <li>Go thou to Friar Penker; bid them both</li>
  <li class="number">Meet me within this hour at Baynard's Castle.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Now will I in, to take some privy order,</li>
  <li>To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight;</li>
  <li>And to give notice, that no manner of person</li>
  <li>At any time have recourse unto the princes.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE VI.  The same.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Scrivener, with a paper in his hand</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Scrivener</li>
  <li>This is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings;</li>
  <li>Which in a set hand fairly is engross'd,</li>
  <li>That it may be this day read over in Paul's.</li>
  <li>And mark how well the sequel hangs together:</li>
  <li class="number">Eleven hours I spent to write it over,</li>
  <li>For yesternight by Catesby was it brought me;</li>
  <li>The precedent was full as long a-doing:</li>
  <li>And yet within these five hours lived Lord Hastings,</li>
  <li>Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty</li>
  <li class="number">Here's a good world the while! Why who's so gross,</li>
  <li>That seeth not this palpable device?</li>
  <li>Yet who's so blind, but says he sees it not?</li>
  <li>Bad is the world; and all will come to nought,</li>
  <li>When such bad dealings must be seen in thought.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE VII.  Baynard's Castle.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM, at several doors</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>How now, my lord, what say the citizens?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Now, by the holy mother of our Lord,</li>
  <li>The citizens are mum and speak not a word.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's children?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">I did; with his contract with Lady Lucy,</li>
  <li>And his contract by deputy in France;</li>
  <li>The insatiate greediness of his desires,</li>
  <li>And his enforcement of the city wives;</li>
  <li>His tyranny for trifles; his own bastardy,</li>
  <li class="number">As being got, your father then in France,</li>
  <li>His resemblance, being not like the duke;</li>
  <li>Withal I did infer your lineaments,</li>
  <li>Being the right idea of your father,</li>
  <li>Both in your form and nobleness of mind;</li>
  <li class="number">Laid open all your victories in Scotland,</li>
  <li>Your dicipline in war, wisdom in peace,</li>
  <li>Your bounty, virtue, fair humility:</li>
  <li>Indeed, left nothing fitting for the purpose</li>
  <li>Untouch'd, or slightly handled, in discourse</li>
  <li class="number">And when mine oratory grew to an end</li>
  <li>I bid them that did love their country's good</li>
  <li>Cry 'God save Richard, England's royal king!'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Ah! and did they so?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>No, so God help me, they spake not a word;</li>
  <li class="number">But, like dumb statues or breathing stones,</li>
  <li>Gazed each on other, and look'd deadly pale.</li>
  <li>Which when I saw, I reprehended them;</li>
  <li>And ask'd the mayor what meant this wilful silence:</li>
  <li>His answer was, the people were not wont</li>
  <li class="number">To be spoke to but by the recorder.</li>
  <li>Then he was urged to tell my tale again,</li>
  <li>'Thus saith the duke, thus hath the duke inferr'd;'</li>
  <li>But nothing spake in warrant from himself.</li>
  <li>When he had done, some followers of mine own,</li>
  <li class="number">At the lower end of the hall, hurl'd up their caps,</li>
  <li>And some ten voices cried 'God save King Richard!'</li>
  <li>And thus I took the vantage of those few,</li>
  <li>'Thanks, gentle citizens and friends,' quoth I;</li>
  <li>'This general applause and loving shout</li>
  <li class="number">Argues your wisdoms and your love to Richard:'</li>
  <li>And even here brake off, and came away.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>What tongueless blocks were they! would not they speak?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>No, by my troth, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Will not the mayor then and his brethren come?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">The mayor is here at hand: intend some fear;</li>
  <li>Be not you spoke with, but by mighty suit:</li>
  <li>And look you get a prayer-book in your hand,</li>
  <li>And stand betwixt two churchmen, good my lord;</li>
  <li>For on that ground I'll build a holy descant:</li>
  <li class="number">And be not easily won to our request:</li>
  <li>Play the maid's part, still answer nay, and take it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>I go; and if you plead as well for them</li>
  <li>As I can say nay to thee for myself,</li>
  <li>No doubt well bring it to a happy issue.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">Go, go, up to the leads; the lord mayor knocks.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter the Lord Mayor and Citizens</li>
  <li>Welcome my lord; I dance attendance here;</li>
  <li>I think the duke will not be spoke withal.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter CATESBY</li>
  <li>Here comes his servant: how now, Catesby,</li>
  <li>What says he?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li class="number">My lord: he doth entreat your grace;</li>
  <li>To visit him to-morrow or next day:</li>
  <li>He is within, with two right reverend fathers,</li>
  <li>Divinely bent to meditation;</li>
  <li>And no worldly suit would he be moved,</li>
  <li class="number">To draw him from his holy exercise.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Return, good Catesby, to thy lord again;</li>
  <li>Tell him, myself, the mayor and citizens,</li>
  <li>In deep designs and matters of great moment,</li>
  <li>No less importing than our general good,</li>
  <li class="number">Are come to have some conference with his grace.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>I'll tell him what you say, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Ah, ha, my lord, this prince is not an Edward!</li>
  <li>He is not lolling on a lewd day-bed,</li>
  <li>But on his knees at meditation;</li>
  <li class="number">Not dallying with a brace of courtezans,</li>
  <li>But meditating with two deep divines;</li>
  <li>Not sleeping, to engross his idle body,</li>
  <li>But praying, to enrich his watchful soul:</li>
  <li>Happy were England, would this gracious prince</li>
  <li class="number">Take on himself the sovereignty thereof:</li>
  <li>But, sure, I fear, we shall ne'er win him to it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Lord Mayor</li>
  <li>Marry, God forbid his grace should say us nay!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>I fear he will.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Re-enter CATESBY</li>
  <li>How now, Catesby, what says your lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li class="number">My lord,</li>
  <li>He wonders to what end you have assembled</li>
  <li>Such troops of citizens to speak with him,</li>
  <li>His grace not being warn'd thereof before:</li>
  <li>My lord, he fears you mean no good to him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">Sorry I am my noble cousin should</li>
  <li>Suspect me, that I mean no good to him:</li>
  <li>By heaven, I come in perfect love to him;</li>
  <li>And so once more return and tell his grace.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit CATESBY</li>
  <li>When holy and devout religious men</li>
  <li class="number">Are at their beads, 'tis hard to draw them thence,</li>
  <li>So sweet is zealous contemplation.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter GLOUCESTER aloft, between two Bishops.
CATESBY returns</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Lord Mayor</li>
  <li>See, where he stands between two clergymen!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Two props of virtue for a Christian prince,</li>
  <li>To stay him from the fall of vanity:</li>
  <li class="number">And, see, a book of prayer in his hand,</li>
  <li>True ornaments to know a holy man.</li>
  <li>Famous Plantagenet, most gracious prince,</li>
  <li>Lend favourable ears to our request;</li>
  <li>And pardon us the interruption</li>
  <li class="number">Of thy devotion and right Christian zeal.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>My lord, there needs no such apology:</li>
  <li>I rather do beseech you pardon me,</li>
  <li>Who, earnest in the service of my God,</li>
  <li>Neglect the visitation of my friends.</li>
  <li class="number">But, leaving this, what is your grace's pleasure?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above,</li>
  <li>And all good men of this ungovern'd isle.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>I do suspect I have done some offence</li>
  <li>That seems disgracious in the city's eyes,</li>
  <li class="number">And that you come to reprehend my ignorance.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>You have, my lord: would it might please your grace,</li>
  <li>At our entreaties, to amend that fault!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Then know, it is your fault that you resign</li>
  <li class="number">The supreme seat, the throne majestical,</li>
  <li>The scepter'd office of your ancestors,</li>
  <li>Your state of fortune and your due of birth,</li>
  <li>The lineal glory of your royal house,</li>
  <li>To the corruption of a blemished stock:</li>
  <li class="number">Whilst, in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts,</li>
  <li>Which here we waken to our country's good,</li>
  <li>This noble isle doth want her proper limbs;</li>
  <li>Her face defaced with scars of infamy,</li>
  <li>Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants,</li>
  <li class="number">And almost shoulder'd in the swallowing gulf</li>
  <li>Of blind forgetfulness and dark oblivion.</li>
  <li>Which to recure, we heartily solicit</li>
  <li>Your gracious self to take on you the charge</li>
  <li>And kingly government of this your land,</li>
  <li class="number">Not as protector, steward, substitute,</li>
  <li>Or lowly factor for another's gain;</li>
  <li>But as successively from blood to blood,</li>
  <li>Your right of birth, your empery, your own.</li>
  <li>For this, consorted with the citizens,</li>
  <li class="number">Your very worshipful and loving friends,</li>
  <li>And by their vehement instigation,</li>
  <li>In this just suit come I to move your grace.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>I know not whether to depart in silence,</li>
  <li>Or bitterly to speak in your reproof.</li>
  <li class="number">Best fitteth my degree or your condition</li>
  <li>If not to answer, you might haply think</li>
  <li>Tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yielded</li>
  <li>To bear the golden yoke of sovereignty,</li>
  <li>Which fondly you would here impose on me;</li>
  <li class="number">If to reprove you for this suit of yours,</li>
  <li>So season'd with your faithful love to me.</li>
  <li>Then, on the other side, I cheque'd my friends.</li>
  <li>Therefore, to speak, and to avoid the first,</li>
  <li>And then, in speaking, not to incur the last,</li>
  <li class="number">Definitively thus I answer you.</li>
  <li>Your love deserves my thanks; but my desert</li>
  <li>Unmeritable shuns your high request.</li>
  <li>First if all obstacles were cut away,</li>
  <li>And that my path were even to the crown,</li>
  <li class="number">As my ripe revenue and due by birth</li>
  <li>Yet so much is my poverty of spirit,</li>
  <li>So mighty and so many my defects,</li>
  <li>As I had rather hide me from my greatness,</li>
  <li>Being a bark to brook no mighty sea,</li>
  <li class="number">Than in my greatness covet to be hid,</li>
  <li>And in the vapour of my glory smother'd.</li>
  <li>But, God be thank'd, there's no need of me,</li>
  <li>And much I need to help you, if need were;</li>
  <li>The royal tree hath left us royal fruit,</li>
  <li class="number">Which, mellow'd by the stealing hours of time,</li>
  <li>Will well become the seat of majesty,</li>
  <li>And make, no doubt, us happy by his reign.</li>
  <li>On him I lay what you would lay on me,</li>
  <li>The right and fortune of his happy stars;</li>
  <li class="number">Which God defend that I should wring from him!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>My lord, this argues conscience in your grace;</li>
  <li>But the respects thereof are nice and trivial,</li>
  <li>All circumstances well considered.</li>
  <li>You say that Edward is your brother's son:</li>
  <li class="number">So say we too, but not by Edward's wife;</li>
  <li>For first he was contract to Lady Lucy — </li>
  <li>Your mother lives a witness to that vow — </li>
  <li>And afterward by substitute betroth'd</li>
  <li>To Bona, sister to the King of France.</li>
  <li class="number">These both put by a poor petitioner,</li>
  <li>A care-crazed mother of a many children,</li>
  <li>A beauty-waning and distressed widow,</li>
  <li>Even in the afternoon of her best days,</li>
  <li>Made prize and purchase of his lustful eye,</li>
  <li class="number">Seduced the pitch and height of all his thoughts</li>
  <li>To base declension and loathed bigamy</li>
  <li>By her, in his unlawful bed, he got</li>
  <li>This Edward, whom our manners term the prince.</li>
  <li>More bitterly could I expostulate,</li>
  <li class="number">Save that, for reverence to some alive,</li>
  <li>I give a sparing limit to my tongue.</li>
  <li>Then, good my lord, take to your royal self</li>
  <li>This proffer'd benefit of dignity;</li>
  <li>If non to bless us and the land withal,</li>
  <li class="number">Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry</li>
  <li>From the corruption of abusing times,</li>
  <li>Unto a lineal true-derived course.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Lord Mayor</li>
  <li>Do, good my lord, your citizens entreat you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Refuse not, mighty lord, this proffer'd love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li class="number">O, make them joyful, grant their lawful suit!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Alas, why would you heap these cares on me?</li>
  <li>I am unfit for state and majesty;</li>
  <li>I do beseech you, take it not amiss;</li>
  <li>I cannot nor I will not yield to you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">If you refuse it —  as, in love and zeal,</li>
  <li>Loath to depose the child, Your brother's son;</li>
  <li>As well we know your tenderness of heart</li>
  <li>And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse,</li>
  <li>Which we have noted in you to your kin,</li>
  <li class="number">And egally indeed to all estates —  </li>
  <li>Yet whether you accept our suit or no,</li>
  <li>Your brother's son shall never reign our king;</li>
  <li>But we will plant some other in the throne,</li>
  <li>To the disgrace and downfall of your house:</li>
  <li class="number">And in this resolution here we leave you. — </li>
  <li>Come, citizens: 'zounds! I'll entreat no more.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>O, do not swear, my lord of Buckingham.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit BUCKINGHAM with the Citizens</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>Call them again, my lord, and accept their suit.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">ANOTHER</li>
  <li>Do, good my lord, lest all the land do rue it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Would you enforce me to a world of care?</li>
  <li>Well, call them again. I am not made of stone,</li>
  <li>But penetrable to your. kind entreats,</li>
  <li>Albeit against my conscience and my soul.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Re-enter BUCKINGHAM and the rest</li>
  <li>Cousin of Buckingham, and you sage, grave men,</li>
  <li class="number">Since you will buckle fortune on my back,</li>
  <li>To bear her burthen, whether I will or no,</li>
  <li>I must have patience to endure the load:</li>
  <li>But if black scandal or foul-faced reproach</li>
  <li>Attend the sequel of your imposition,</li>
  <li class="number">Your mere enforcement shall acquittance me</li>
  <li>From all the impure blots and stains thereof;</li>
  <li>For God he knows, and you may partly see,</li>
  <li>How far I am from the desire thereof.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Lord Mayor</li>
  <li>God bless your grace! we see it, and will say it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">In saying so, you shall but say the truth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Then I salute you with this kingly title:</li>
  <li>Long live Richard, England's royal king!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Lord Mayor</li>
  <li class="speaker">Citizens</li>
  <li>Amen.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>To-morrow will it please you to be crown'd?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li class="number">Even when you please, since you will have it so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>To-morrow, then, we will attend your grace:</li>
  <li>And so most joyfully we take our leave.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">GLOUCESTER</li>
  <li>Come, let us to our holy task again.</li>
  <li>Farewell, good cousin; farewell, gentle friends.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT IV</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  Before the Tower.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter, on one side, QUEEN ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF
YORK, and DORSET; on the other, ANNE, Duchess of
Gloucester, leading Lady Margaret Plantagenet,
CLARENCE's young Daughter</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Who meets us here?  my niece Plantagenet</li>
  <li>Led in the hand of her kind aunt of Gloucester?</li>
  <li>Now, for my life, she's wandering to the Tower,</li>
  <li>On pure heart's love to greet the tender princes.</li>
  <li class="number">Daughter, well met.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>God give your graces both</li>
  <li>A happy and a joyful time of day!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>As much to you, good sister! Whither away?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>No farther than the Tower; and, as I guess,</li>
  <li class="number">Upon the like devotion as yourselves,</li>
  <li>To gratulate the gentle princes there.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Kind sister, thanks: we'll enter all together.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>And, in good time, here the lieutenant comes.</li>
  <li>Master lieutenant, pray you, by your leave,</li>
  <li class="number">How doth the prince, and my young son of York?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>Right well, dear madam. By your patience,</li>
  <li>I may not suffer you to visit them;</li>
  <li>The king hath straitly charged the contrary.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>The king! why, who's that?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li class="number">I cry you mercy: I mean the lord protector.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>The Lord protect him from that kingly title!</li>
  <li>Hath he set bounds betwixt their love and me?</li>
  <li>I am their mother; who should keep me from them?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>I am their fathers mother; I will see them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li class="number">Their aunt I am in law, in love their mother:</li>
  <li>Then bring me to their sights; I'll bear thy blame</li>
  <li>And take thy office from thee, on my peril.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BRAKENBURY</li>
  <li>No, madam, no; I may not leave it so:</li>
  <li>I am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter LORD STANLEY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LORD STANLEY</li>
  <li class="number">Let me but meet you, ladies, one hour hence,</li>
  <li>And I'll salute your grace of York as mother,</li>
  <li>And reverend looker on, of two fair queens.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Come, madam, you must straight to Westminster,</li>
  <li>There to be crowned Richard's royal queen.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">O, cut my lace in sunder, that my pent heart</li>
  <li>May have some scope to beat, or else I swoon</li>
  <li>With this dead-killing news!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Despiteful tidings! O unpleasing news!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DORSET</li>
  <li>Be of good cheer: mother, how fares your grace?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">O Dorset, speak not to me, get thee hence!</li>
  <li>Death and destruction dog thee at the heels;</li>
  <li>Thy mother's name is ominous to children.</li>
  <li>If thou wilt outstrip death, go cross the seas,</li>
  <li>And live with Richmond, from the reach of hell</li>
  <li class="number">Go, hie thee, hie thee from this slaughter-house,</li>
  <li>Lest thou increase the number of the dead;</li>
  <li>And make me die the thrall of Margaret's curse,</li>
  <li>Nor mother, wife, nor England's counted queen.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LORD STANLEY</li>
  <li>Full of wise care is this your counsel, madam.</li>
  <li class="number">Take all the swift advantage of the hours;</li>
  <li>You shall have letters from me to my son</li>
  <li>To meet you on the way, and welcome you.</li>
  <li>Be not ta'en tardy by unwise delay.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>O ill-dispersing wind of misery!</li>
  <li class="number">O my accursed womb, the bed of death!</li>
  <li>A cockatrice hast thou hatch'd to the world,</li>
  <li>Whose unavoided eye is murderous.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LORD STANLEY</li>
  <li>Come, madam, come; I in all haste was sent.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>And I in all unwillingness will go.</li>
  <li class="number">I would to God that the inclusive verge</li>
  <li>Of golden metal that must round my brow</li>
  <li>Were red-hot steel, to sear me to the brain!</li>
  <li>Anointed let me be with deadly venom,</li>
  <li>And die, ere men can say, God save the queen!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">Go, go, poor soul, I envy not thy glory</li>
  <li>To feed my humour, wish thyself no harm.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>No! why?  When he that is my husband now</li>
  <li>Came to me, as I follow'd Henry's corse,</li>
  <li>When scarce the blood was well wash'd from his hands</li>
  <li class="number">Which issued from my other angel husband</li>
  <li>And that dead saint which then I weeping follow'd;</li>
  <li>O, when, I say, I look'd on Richard's face,</li>
  <li>This was my wish: 'Be thou,' quoth I, ' accursed,</li>
  <li>For making me, so young, so old a widow!</li>
  <li class="number">And, when thou wed'st, let sorrow haunt thy bed;</li>
  <li>And be thy wife — if any be so mad — </li>
  <li>As miserable by the life of thee</li>
  <li>As thou hast made me by my dear lord's death!</li>
  <li>Lo, ere I can repeat this curse again,</li>
  <li class="number">Even in so short a space, my woman's heart</li>
  <li>Grossly grew captive to his honey words</li>
  <li>And proved the subject of my own soul's curse,</li>
  <li>Which ever since hath kept my eyes from rest;</li>
  <li>For never yet one hour in his bed</li>
  <li class="number">Have I enjoy'd the golden dew of sleep,</li>
  <li>But have been waked by his timorous dreams.</li>
  <li>Besides, he hates me for my father Warwick;</li>
  <li>And will, no doubt, shortly be rid of me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Poor heart, adieu! I pity thy complaining.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li class="number">No more than from my soul I mourn for yours.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Farewell, thou woful welcomer of glory!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>Adieu, poor soul, that takest thy leave of it!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>To DORSET</li>
  <li>Go thou to Richmond, and good fortune guide thee!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To LADY ANNE</li>
  <li class="number">Go thou to Richard, and good angels guard thee!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Go thou to sanctuary, and good thoughts possess thee!</li>
  <li>I to my grave, where peace and rest lie with me!</li>
  <li>Eighty odd years of sorrow have I seen,</li>
  <li>And each hour's joy wrecked with a week of teen.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">Stay, yet look back with me unto the Tower.</li>
  <li>Pity, you ancient stones, those tender babes</li>
  <li>Whom envy hath immured within your walls!</li>
  <li>Rough cradle for such little pretty ones!</li>
  <li>Rude ragged nurse, old sullen playfellow</li>
  <li class="number">For tender princes, use my babies well!</li>
  <li>So foolish sorrow bids your stones farewell.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  London. The palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Sennet. Enter KING RICHARD III, in pomp, crowned;
BUCKINGHAM, CATESBY, a page, and others</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Stand all apart Cousin of Buckingham!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>My gracious sovereign?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Give me thy hand.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Here he ascendeth his throne</li>
  <li>Thus high, by thy advice</li>
  <li class="number">And thy assistance, is King Richard seated;</li>
  <li>But shall we wear these honours for a day?</li>
  <li>Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Still live they and for ever may they last!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>O Buckingham, now do I play the touch,</li>
  <li class="number">To try if thou be current gold indeed</li>
  <li>Young Edward lives: think now what I would say.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Say on, my loving lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Why, Buckingham, I say, I would be king,</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Why, so you are, my thrice renowned liege.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Ha! am I king? 'tis so: but Edward lives.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>True, noble prince.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>O bitter consequence,</li>
  <li>That Edward still should live! 'True, noble prince!'</li>
  <li>Cousin, thou wert not wont to be so dull:</li>
  <li class="number">Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead;</li>
  <li>And I would have it suddenly perform'd.</li>
  <li>What sayest thou? speak suddenly; be brief.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Your grace may do your pleasure.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Tut, tut, thou art all ice, thy kindness freezeth:</li>
  <li class="number">Say, have I thy consent that they shall die?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Give me some breath, some little pause, my lord</li>
  <li>Before I positively herein:</li>
  <li>I will resolve your grace immediately.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>Aside to a stander by</li>
  <li class="number">The king is angry: see, he bites the lip.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>I will converse with iron-witted fools</li>
  <li>And unrespective boys: none are for me</li>
  <li>That look into me with considerate eyes:</li>
  <li>High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.</li>
  <li class="number">Boy!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Page</li>
  <li>My lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Know'st thou not any whom corrupting gold</li>
  <li>Would tempt unto a close exploit of death?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Page</li>
  <li>My lord, I know a discontented gentleman,</li>
  <li class="number">Whose humble means match not his haughty mind:</li>
  <li>Gold were as good as twenty orators,</li>
  <li>And will, no doubt, tempt him to any thing.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>What is his name?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Page</li>
  <li>His name, my lord, is Tyrrel.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">I partly know the man: go, call him hither.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit Page</li>
  <li>The deep-revolving witty Buckingham</li>
  <li>No more shall be the neighbour to my counsel:</li>
  <li>Hath he so long held out with me untired,</li>
  <li>And stops he now for breath?</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter STANLEY</li>
  <li class="number">How now! what news with you?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li>My lord, I hear the Marquis Dorset's fled</li>
  <li>To Richmond, in those parts beyond the sea</li>
  <li>Where he abides.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Stands apart</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Catesby!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li class="number">My lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Rumour it abroad</li>
  <li>That Anne, my wife, is sick and like to die:</li>
  <li>I will take order for her keeping close.</li>
  <li>Inquire me out some mean-born gentleman,</li>
  <li class="number">Whom I will marry straight to Clarence' daughter:</li>
  <li>The boy is foolish, and I fear not him.</li>
  <li>Look, how thou dream'st! I say again, give out</li>
  <li>That Anne my wife is sick and like to die:</li>
  <li>About it; for it stands me much upon,</li>
  <li class="number">To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit CATESBY</li>
  <li>I must be married to my brother's daughter,</li>
  <li>Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass.</li>
  <li>Murder her brothers, and then marry her!</li>
  <li>Uncertain way of gain! But I am in</li>
  <li class="number">So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin:</li>
  <li>Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Re-enter Page, with TYRREL</li>
  <li>Is thy name Tyrrel?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">TYRREL</li>
  <li>James Tyrrel, and your most obedient subject.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Art thou, indeed?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">TYRREL</li>
  <li class="number">Prove me, my gracious sovereign.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Darest thou resolve to kill a friend of mine?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">TYRREL</li>
  <li>Ay, my lord;</li>
  <li>But I had rather kill two enemies.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Why, there thou hast it: two deep enemies,</li>
  <li class="number">Foes to my rest and my sweet sleep's disturbers</li>
  <li>Are they that I would have thee deal upon:</li>
  <li>Tyrrel, I mean those bastards in the Tower.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">TYRREL</li>
  <li>Let me have open means to come to them,</li>
  <li>And soon I'll rid you from the fear of them.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Thou sing'st sweet music. Hark, come hither, Tyrrel</li>
  <li>Go, by this token: rise, and lend thine ear:</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Whispers</li>
  <li>There is no more but so: say it is done,</li>
  <li>And I will love thee, and prefer thee too.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">TYRREL</li>
  <li>'Tis done, my gracious lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Shall we hear from thee, Tyrrel, ere we sleep?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">TYRREL</li>
  <li>Ye shall, my Lord.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Re-enter BUCKINGHAM</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>My Lord, I have consider'd in my mind</li>
  <li>The late demand that you did sound me in.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Well, let that pass. Dorset is fled to Richmond.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li class="number">I hear that news, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Stanley, he is your wife's son well, look to it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>My lord, I claim your gift, my due by promise,</li>
  <li>For which your honour and your faith is pawn'd;</li>
  <li>The earldom of Hereford and the moveables</li>
  <li class="number">The which you promised I should possess.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Stanley, look to your wife; if she convey</li>
  <li>Letters to Richmond, you shall answer it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>What says your highness to my just demand?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>As I remember, Henry the Sixth</li>
  <li class="number">Did prophesy that Richmond should be king,</li>
  <li>When Richmond was a little peevish boy.</li>
  <li>A king, perhaps, perhaps —  </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>My lord!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>How chance the prophet could not at that time</li>
  <li class="number">Have told me, I being by, that I should kill him?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>My lord, your promise for the earldom —  </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Richmond! When last I was at Exeter,</li>
  <li>The mayor in courtesy show'd me the castle,</li>
  <li>And call'd it Rougemont: at which name I started,</li>
  <li class="number">Because a bard of Ireland told me once</li>
  <li>I should not live long after I saw Richmond.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>My Lord!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Ay, what's o'clock?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>I am thus bold to put your grace in mind</li>
  <li class="number">Of what you promised me.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Well, but what's o'clock?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Upon the stroke of ten.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Well, let it strike.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Why let it strike?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Because that, like a Jack, thou keep'st the stroke</li>
  <li>Betwixt thy begging and my meditation.</li>
  <li>I am not in the giving vein to-day.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Why, then resolve me whether you will or no.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Tut, tut,</li>
  <li class="number">Thou troublest me; am not in the vein.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt all but BUCKINGHAM</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Is it even so? rewards he my true service</li>
  <li>With such deep contempt made I him king for this?</li>
  <li>O, let me think on Hastings, and be gone</li>
  <li>To Brecknock, while my fearful head is on!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  The same.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter TYRREL</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">TYRREL</li>
  <li>The tyrannous and bloody deed is done.</li>
  <li>The most arch of piteous massacre</li>
  <li>That ever yet this land was guilty of.</li>
  <li>Dighton and Forrest, whom I did suborn</li>
  <li class="number">To do this ruthless piece of butchery,</li>
  <li>Although they were flesh'd villains, bloody dogs,</li>
  <li>Melting with tenderness and kind compassion</li>
  <li>Wept like two children in their deaths' sad stories.</li>
  <li>'Lo, thus' quoth Dighton, 'lay those tender babes:'</li>
  <li class="number">'Thus, thus,' quoth Forrest, 'girdling one another</li>
  <li>Within their innocent alabaster arms:</li>
  <li>Their lips were four red roses on a stalk,</li>
  <li>Which in their summer beauty kiss'd each other.</li>
  <li>A book of prayers on their pillow lay;</li>
  <li class="number">Which once,' quoth Forrest, 'almost changed my mind;</li>
  <li>But O! the devil' — there the villain stopp'd</li>
  <li>Whilst Dighton thus told on: 'We smothered</li>
  <li>The most replenished sweet work of nature,</li>
  <li>That from the prime creation e'er she framed.'</li>
  <li class="number">Thus both are gone with conscience and remorse;</li>
  <li>They could not speak; and so I left them both,</li>
  <li>To bring this tidings to the bloody king.</li>
  <li>And here he comes.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>All hail, my sovereign liege!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Kind Tyrrel, am I happy in thy news?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">TYRREL</li>
  <li>If to have done the thing you gave in charge</li>
  <li>Beget your happiness, be happy then,</li>
  <li>For it is done, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>But didst thou see them dead?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">TYRREL</li>
  <li class="number">I did, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>And buried, gentle Tyrrel?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">TYRREL</li>
  <li>The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them;</li>
  <li>But how or in what place I do not know.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Come to me, Tyrrel, soon at after supper,</li>
  <li class="number">And thou shalt tell the process of their death.</li>
  <li>Meantime, but think how I may do thee good,</li>
  <li>And be inheritor of thy desire.</li>
  <li>Farewell till soon.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit TYRREL</li>
  <li>The son of Clarence have I pent up close;</li>
  <li class="number">His daughter meanly have I match'd in marriage;</li>
  <li>The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham's bosom,</li>
  <li>And Anne my wife hath bid the world good night.</li>
  <li>Now, for I know the Breton Richmond aims</li>
  <li>At young Elizabeth, my brother's daughter,</li>
  <li class="number">And, by that knot, looks proudly o'er the crown,</li>
  <li>To her I go, a jolly thriving wooer.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter CATESBY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>My lord!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Good news or bad, that thou comest in so bluntly?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>Bad news, my lord: Ely is fled to Richmond;</li>
  <li class="number">And Buckingham, back'd with the hardy Welshmen,</li>
  <li>Is in the field, and still his power increaseth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Ely with Richmond troubles me more near</li>
  <li>Than Buckingham and his rash-levied army.</li>
  <li>Come, I have heard that fearful commenting</li>
  <li class="number">Is leaden servitor to dull delay;</li>
  <li>Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary</li>
  <li>Then fiery expedition be my wing,</li>
  <li>Jove's Mercury, and herald for a king!</li>
  <li>Come, muster men: my counsel is my shield;</li>
  <li class="number">We must be brief when traitors brave the field.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE IV.  Before the palace.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter QUEEN MARGARET</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>So, now prosperity begins to mellow</li>
  <li>And drop into the rotten mouth of death.</li>
  <li>Here in these confines slily have I lurk'd,</li>
  <li>To watch the waning of mine adversaries.</li>
  <li class="number">A dire induction am I witness to,</li>
  <li>And will to France, hoping the consequence</li>
  <li>Will prove as bitter, black, and tragical.</li>
  <li>Withdraw thee, wretched Margaret: who comes here?</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and the DUCHESS OF YORK</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Ah, my young princes! ah, my tender babes!</li>
  <li class="number">My unblown flowers, new-appearing sweets!</li>
  <li>If yet your gentle souls fly in the air</li>
  <li>And be not fix'd in doom perpetual,</li>
  <li>Hover about me with your airy wings</li>
  <li>And hear your mother's lamentation!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">Hover about her; say, that right for right</li>
  <li>Hath dimm'd your infant morn to aged night.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>So many miseries have crazed my voice,</li>
  <li>That my woe-wearied tongue is mute and dumb,</li>
  <li>Edward Plantagenet, why art thou dead?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">Plantagenet doth quit Plantagenet.</li>
  <li>Edward for Edward pays a dying debt.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Wilt thou, O God, fly from such gentle lambs,</li>
  <li>And throw them in the entrails of the wolf?</li>
  <li>When didst thou sleep when such a deed was done?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">When holy Harry died, and my sweet son.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Blind sight, dead life, poor mortal living ghost,</li>
  <li>Woe's scene, world's shame, grave's due by life usurp'd,</li>
  <li>Brief abstract and record of tedious days,</li>
  <li>Rest thy unrest on England's lawful earth,</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Sitting down</li>
  <li class="number">Unlawfully made drunk with innocents' blood!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>O, that thou wouldst as well afford a grave</li>
  <li>As thou canst yield a melancholy seat!</li>
  <li>Then would I hide my bones, not rest them here.</li>
  <li>O, who hath any cause to mourn but I?</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Sitting down by her</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">If ancient sorrow be most reverend,</li>
  <li>Give mine the benefit of seniory,</li>
  <li>And let my woes frown on the upper hand.</li>
  <li>If sorrow can admit society,</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Sitting down with them</li>
  <li>Tell o'er your woes again by viewing mine:</li>
  <li class="number">I had an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him;</li>
  <li>I had a Harry, till a Richard kill'd him:</li>
  <li>Thou hadst an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him;</li>
  <li>Thou hadst a Richard, till a Richard killed him;</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>I had a Richard too, and thou didst kill him;</li>
  <li class="number">I had a Rutland too, thou holp'st to kill him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Thou hadst a Clarence too, and Richard kill'd him.</li>
  <li>From forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept</li>
  <li>A hell-hound that doth hunt us all to death:</li>
  <li>That dog, that had his teeth before his eyes,</li>
  <li class="number">To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood,</li>
  <li>That foul defacer of God's handiwork,</li>
  <li>That excellent grand tyrant of the earth,</li>
  <li>That reigns in galled eyes of weeping souls,</li>
  <li>Thy womb let loose, to chase us to our graves.</li>
  <li class="number">O upright, just, and true-disposing God,</li>
  <li>How do I thank thee, that this carnal cur</li>
  <li>Preys on the issue of his mother's body,</li>
  <li>And makes her pew-fellow with others' moan!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>O Harry's wife, triumph not in my woes!</li>
  <li class="number">God witness with me, I have wept for thine.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Bear with me; I am hungry for revenge,</li>
  <li>And now I cloy me with beholding it.</li>
  <li>Thy Edward he is dead, that stabb'd my Edward:</li>
  <li>Thy other Edward dead, to quit my Edward;</li>
  <li class="number">Young York he is but boot, because both they</li>
  <li>Match not the high perfection of my loss:</li>
  <li>Thy Clarence he is dead that kill'd my Edward;</li>
  <li>And the beholders of this tragic play,</li>
  <li>The adulterate Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey,</li>
  <li class="number">Untimely smother'd in their dusky graves.</li>
  <li>Richard yet lives, hell's black intelligencer,</li>
  <li>Only reserved their factor, to buy souls</li>
  <li>And send them thither: but at hand, at hand,</li>
  <li>Ensues his piteous and unpitied end:</li>
  <li class="number">Earth gapes, hell burns, fiends roar, saints pray.</li>
  <li>To have him suddenly convey'd away.</li>
  <li>Cancel his bond of life, dear God, I prey,</li>
  <li>That I may live to say, The dog is dead!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>O, thou didst prophesy the time would come</li>
  <li class="number">That I should wish for thee to help me curse</li>
  <li>That bottled spider, that foul bunch-back'd toad!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>I call'd thee then vain flourish of my fortune;</li>
  <li>I call'd thee then poor shadow, painted queen;</li>
  <li>The presentation of but what I was;</li>
  <li class="number">The flattering index of a direful pageant;</li>
  <li>One heaved a-high, to be hurl'd down below;</li>
  <li>A mother only mock'd with two sweet babes;</li>
  <li>A dream of what thou wert, a breath, a bubble,</li>
  <li>A sign of dignity, a garish flag,</li>
  <li class="number">To be the aim of every dangerous shot,</li>
  <li>A queen in jest, only to fill the scene.</li>
  <li>Where is thy husband now? where be thy brothers?</li>
  <li>Where are thy children? wherein dost thou, joy?</li>
  <li>Who sues to thee and cries 'God save the queen'?</li>
  <li class="number">Where be the bending peers that flatter'd thee?</li>
  <li>Where be the thronging troops that follow'd thee?</li>
  <li>Decline all this, and see what now thou art:</li>
  <li>For happy wife, a most distressed widow;</li>
  <li>For joyful mother, one that wails the name;</li>
  <li class="number">For queen, a very caitiff crown'd with care;</li>
  <li>For one being sued to, one that humbly sues;</li>
  <li>For one that scorn'd at me, now scorn'd of me;</li>
  <li>For one being fear'd of all, now fearing one;</li>
  <li>For one commanding all, obey'd of none.</li>
  <li class="number">Thus hath the course of justice wheel'd about,</li>
  <li>And left thee but a very prey to time;</li>
  <li>Having no more but thought of what thou wert,</li>
  <li>To torture thee the more, being what thou art.</li>
  <li>Thou didst usurp my place, and dost thou not</li>
  <li class="number">Usurp the just proportion of my sorrow?</li>
  <li>Now thy proud neck bears half my burthen'd yoke;</li>
  <li>From which even here I slip my weary neck,</li>
  <li>And leave the burthen of it all on thee.</li>
  <li>Farewell, York's wife, and queen of sad mischance:</li>
  <li class="number">These English woes will make me smile in France.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>O thou well skill'd in curses, stay awhile,</li>
  <li>And teach me how to curse mine enemies!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li>Forbear to sleep the nights, and fast the days;</li>
  <li>Compare dead happiness with living woe;</li>
  <li class="number">Think that thy babes were fairer than they were,</li>
  <li>And he that slew them fouler than he is:</li>
  <li>Bettering thy loss makes the bad causer worse:</li>
  <li>Revolving this will teach thee how to curse.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>My words are dull; O, quicken them with thine!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN MARGARET</li>
  <li class="number">Thy woes will make them sharp, and pierce like mine.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Why should calamity be full of words?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Windy attorneys to their client woes,</li>
  <li>Airy succeeders of intestate joys,</li>
  <li>Poor breathing orators of miseries!</li>
  <li class="number">Let them have scope: though what they do impart</li>
  <li>Help not all, yet do they ease the heart.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>If so, then be not tongue-tied: go with me.</li>
  <li>And in the breath of bitter words let's smother</li>
  <li>My damned son, which thy two sweet sons smother'd.</li>
  <li class="number">I hear his drum: be copious in exclaims.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter KING RICHARD III, marching, with drums and trumpets</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Who intercepts my expedition?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>O, she that might have intercepted thee,</li>
  <li>By strangling thee in her accursed womb</li>
  <li>From all the slaughters, wretch, that thou hast done!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">Hidest thou that forehead with a golden crown,</li>
  <li>Where should be graven, if that right were right,</li>
  <li>The slaughter of the prince that owed that crown,</li>
  <li>And the dire death of my two sons and brothers?</li>
  <li>Tell me, thou villain slave, where are my children?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li class="number">Thou toad, thou toad, where is thy brother Clarence?</li>
  <li>And little Ned Plantagenet, his son?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Where is kind Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>A flourish, trumpets! strike alarum, drums!</li>
  <li>Let not the heavens hear these tell-tale women</li>
  <li class="number">Rail on the Lord's enointed: strike, I say!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Flourish. Alarums</li>
  <li>Either be patient, and entreat me fair,</li>
  <li>Or with the clamorous report of war</li>
  <li>Thus will I drown your exclamations.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Art thou my son?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Ay, I thank God, my father, and yourself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Then patiently hear my impatience.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Madam, I have a touch of your condition,</li>
  <li>Which cannot brook the accent of reproof.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>O, let me speak!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Do then: but I'll not hear.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>I will be mild and gentle in my speech.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>And brief, good mother; for I am in haste.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Art thou so hasty? I have stay'd for thee,</li>
  <li>God knows, in anguish, pain and agony.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">And came I not at last to comfort you?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>No, by the holy rood, thou know'st it well,</li>
  <li>Thou camest on earth to make the earth my hell.</li>
  <li>A grievous burthen was thy birth to me;</li>
  <li>Tetchy and wayward was thy infancy;</li>
  <li class="number">Thy school-days frightful, desperate, wild, and furious,</li>
  <li>Thy prime of manhood daring, bold, and venturous,</li>
  <li>Thy age confirm'd, proud, subdued, bloody,</li>
  <li>treacherous,</li>
  <li>More mild, but yet more harmful, kind in hatred:</li>
  <li class="number">What comfortable hour canst thou name,</li>
  <li>That ever graced me in thy company?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Faith, none, but Humphrey Hour, that call'd</li>
  <li>your grace</li>
  <li>To breakfast once forth of my company.</li>
  <li class="number">If I be so disgracious in your sight,</li>
  <li>Let me march on, and not offend your grace.</li>
  <li>Strike the drum.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>I prithee, hear me speak.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>You speak too bitterly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li class="number">Hear me a word;</li>
  <li>For I shall never speak to thee again.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>So.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DUCHESS OF YORK</li>
  <li>Either thou wilt die, by God's just ordinance,</li>
  <li>Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror,</li>
  <li class="number">Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish</li>
  <li>And never look upon thy face again.</li>
  <li>Therefore take with thee my most heavy curse;</li>
  <li>Which, in the day of battle, tire thee more</li>
  <li>Than all the complete armour that thou wear'st!</li>
  <li class="number">My prayers on the adverse party fight;</li>
  <li>And there the little souls of Edward's children</li>
  <li>Whisper the spirits of thine enemies</li>
  <li>And promise them success and victory.</li>
  <li>Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end;</li>
  <li class="number">Shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Though far more cause, yet much less spirit to curse</li>
  <li>Abides in me; I say amen to all.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Stay, madam; I must speak a word with you.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>I have no more sons of the royal blood</li>
  <li class="number">For thee to murder: for my daughters, Richard,</li>
  <li>They shall be praying nuns, not weeping queens;</li>
  <li>And therefore level not to hit their lives.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>You have a daughter call'd Elizabeth,</li>
  <li>Virtuous and fair, royal and gracious.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">And must she die for this? O, let her live,</li>
  <li>And I'll corrupt her manners, stain her beauty;</li>
  <li>Slander myself as false to Edward's bed;</li>
  <li>Throw over her the veil of infamy:</li>
  <li>So she may live unscarr'd of bleeding slaughter,</li>
  <li class="number">I will confess she was not Edward's daughter.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Wrong not her birth, she is of royal blood.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>To save her life, I'll say she is not so.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Her life is only safest in her birth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>And only in that safety died her brothers.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Lo, at their births good stars were opposite.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>No, to their lives bad friends were contrary.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>All unavoided is the doom of destiny.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>True, when avoided grace makes destiny:</li>
  <li>My babes were destined to a fairer death,</li>
  <li class="number">If grace had bless'd thee with a fairer life.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>You speak as if that I had slain my cousins.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Cousins, indeed; and by their uncle cozen'd</li>
  <li>Of comfort, kingdom, kindred, freedom, life.</li>
  <li>Whose hand soever lanced their tender hearts,</li>
  <li class="number">Thy head, all indirectly, gave direction:</li>
  <li>No doubt the murderous knife was dull and blunt</li>
  <li>Till it was whetted on thy stone-hard heart,</li>
  <li>To revel in the entrails of my lambs.</li>
  <li>But that still use of grief makes wild grief tame,</li>
  <li class="number">My tongue should to thy ears not name my boys</li>
  <li>Till that my nails were anchor'd in thine eyes;</li>
  <li>And I, in such a desperate bay of death,</li>
  <li>Like a poor bark, of sails and tackling reft,</li>
  <li>Rush all to pieces on thy rocky bosom.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Madam, so thrive I in my enterprise</li>
  <li>And dangerous success of bloody wars,</li>
  <li>As I intend more good to you and yours,</li>
  <li>Than ever you or yours were by me wrong'd!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>What good is cover'd with the face of heaven,</li>
  <li class="number">To be discover'd, that can do me good?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>The advancement of your children, gentle lady.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Up to some scaffold, there to lose their heads?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>No, to the dignity and height of honour</li>
  <li>The high imperial type of this earth's glory.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">Flatter my sorrows with report of it;</li>
  <li>Tell me what state, what dignity, what honour,</li>
  <li>Canst thou demise to any child of mine?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Even all I have; yea, and myself and all,</li>
  <li>Will I withal endow a child of thine;</li>
  <li class="number">So in the Lethe of thy angry soul</li>
  <li>Thou drown the sad remembrance of those wrongs</li>
  <li>Which thou supposest I have done to thee.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Be brief, lest that be process of thy kindness</li>
  <li>Last longer telling than thy kindness' date.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Then know, that from my soul I love thy daughter.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>My daughter's mother thinks it with her soul.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>What do you think?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>That thou dost love my daughter from thy soul:</li>
  <li>So from thy soul's love didst thou love her brothers;</li>
  <li class="number">And from my heart's love I do thank thee for it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Be not so hasty to confound my meaning:</li>
  <li>I mean, that with my soul I love thy daughter,</li>
  <li>And mean to make her queen of England.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Say then, who dost thou mean shall be her king?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Even he that makes her queen who should be else?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>What, thou?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>I, even I: what think you of it, madam?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>How canst thou woo her?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>That would I learn of you,</li>
  <li class="number">As one that are best acquainted with her humour.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>And wilt thou learn of me?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Madam, with all my heart.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Send to her, by the man that slew her brothers,</li>
  <li>A pair of bleeding-hearts; thereon engrave</li>
  <li class="number">Edward and York; then haply she will weep:</li>
  <li>Therefore present to her — as sometime Margaret</li>
  <li>Did to thy father, steep'd in Rutland's blood —  </li>
  <li>A handkerchief; which, say to her, did drain</li>
  <li>The purple sap from her sweet brother's body</li>
  <li class="number">And bid her dry her weeping eyes therewith.</li>
  <li>If this inducement force her not to love,</li>
  <li>Send her a story of thy noble acts;</li>
  <li>Tell her thou madest away her uncle Clarence,</li>
  <li>Her uncle Rivers; yea, and, for her sake,</li>
  <li class="number">Madest quick conveyance with her good aunt Anne.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Come, come, you mock me; this is not the way</li>
  <li>To win our daughter.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>There is no other way</li>
  <li>Unless thou couldst put on some other shape,</li>
  <li class="number">And not be Richard that hath done all this.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Say that I did all this for love of her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Nay, then indeed she cannot choose but hate thee,</li>
  <li>Having bought love with such a bloody spoil.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Look, what is done cannot be now amended:</li>
  <li class="number">Men shall deal unadvisedly sometimes,</li>
  <li>Which after hours give leisure to repent.</li>
  <li>If I did take the kingdom from your sons,</li>
  <li>To make amends, Ill give it to your daughter.</li>
  <li>If I have kill'd the issue of your womb,</li>
  <li class="number">To quicken your increase, I will beget</li>
  <li>Mine issue of your blood upon your daughter</li>
  <li>A grandam's name is little less in love</li>
  <li>Than is the doting title of a mother;</li>
  <li>They are as children but one step below,</li>
  <li class="number">Even of your mettle, of your very blood;</li>
  <li>Of an one pain, save for a night of groans</li>
  <li>Endured of her, for whom you bid like sorrow.</li>
  <li>Your children were vexation to your youth,</li>
  <li>But mine shall be a comfort to your age.</li>
  <li class="number">The loss you have is but a son being king,</li>
  <li>And by that loss your daughter is made queen.</li>
  <li>I cannot make you what amends I would,</li>
  <li>Therefore accept such kindness as I can.</li>
  <li>Dorset your son, that with a fearful soul</li>
  <li class="number">Leads discontented steps in foreign soil,</li>
  <li>This fair alliance quickly shall call home</li>
  <li>To high promotions and great dignity:</li>
  <li>The king, that calls your beauteous daughter wife.</li>
  <li>Familiarly shall call thy Dorset brother;</li>
  <li class="number">Again shall you be mother to a king,</li>
  <li>And all the ruins of distressful times</li>
  <li>Repair'd with double riches of content.</li>
  <li>What! we have many goodly days to see:</li>
  <li>The liquid drops of tears that you have shed</li>
  <li class="number">Shall come again, transform'd to orient pearl,</li>
  <li>Advantaging their loan with interest</li>
  <li>Of ten times double gain of happiness.</li>
  <li>Go, then my mother, to thy daughter go</li>
  <li>Make bold her bashful years with your experience;</li>
  <li class="number">Prepare her ears to hear a wooer's tale</li>
  <li>Put in her tender heart the aspiring flame</li>
  <li>Of golden sovereignty; acquaint the princess</li>
  <li>With the sweet silent hours of marriage joys</li>
  <li>And when this arm of mine hath chastised</li>
  <li class="number">The petty rebel, dull-brain'd Buckingham,</li>
  <li>Bound with triumphant garlands will I come</li>
  <li>And lead thy daughter to a conqueror's bed;</li>
  <li>To whom I will retail my conquest won,</li>
  <li>And she shall be sole victress, Caesar's Caesar.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">What were I best to say? her father's brother</li>
  <li>Would be her lord? or shall I say, her uncle?</li>
  <li>Or, he that slew her brothers and her uncles?</li>
  <li>Under what title shall I woo for thee,</li>
  <li>That God, the law, my honour and her love,</li>
  <li class="number">Can make seem pleasing to her tender years?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Infer fair England's peace by this alliance.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Which she shall purchase with still lasting war.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Say that the king, which may command, entreats.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>That at her hands which the king's King forbids.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Say, she shall be a high and mighty queen.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>To wail the tide, as her mother doth.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Say, I will love her everlastingly.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>But how long shall that title 'ever' last?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Sweetly in force unto her fair life's end.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">But how long fairly shall her sweet lie last?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>So long as heaven and nature lengthens it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>So long as hell and Richard likes of it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Say, I, her sovereign, am her subject love.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>But she, your subject, loathes such sovereignty.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Be eloquent in my behalf to her.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Then in plain terms tell her my loving tale.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Plain and not honest is too harsh a style.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Your reasons are too shallow and too quick.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">O no, my reasons are too deep and dead;</li>
  <li>Too deep and dead, poor infants, in their grave.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Harp not on that string, madam; that is past.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Harp on it still shall I till heart-strings break.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Now, by my George, my garter, and my crown —  </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">Profaned, dishonour'd, and the third usurp'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>I swear — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>By nothing; for this is no oath:</li>
  <li>The George, profaned, hath lost his holy honour;</li>
  <li>The garter, blemish'd, pawn'd his knightly virtue;</li>
  <li class="number">The crown, usurp'd, disgraced his kingly glory.</li>
  <li>if something thou wilt swear to be believed,</li>
  <li>Swear then by something that thou hast not wrong'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Now, by the world — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>'Tis full of thy foul wrongs.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">My father's death — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Thy life hath that dishonour'd.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Then, by myself — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Thyself thyself misusest.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Why then, by God — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">God's wrong is most of all.</li>
  <li>If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by Him,</li>
  <li>The unity the king thy brother made</li>
  <li>Had not been broken, nor my brother slain:</li>
  <li>If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by Him,</li>
  <li class="number">The imperial metal, circling now thy brow,</li>
  <li>Had graced the tender temples of my child,</li>
  <li>And both the princes had been breathing here,</li>
  <li>Which now, two tender playfellows to dust,</li>
  <li>Thy broken faith hath made a prey for worms.</li>
  <li class="number">What canst thou swear by now?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>The time to come.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>That thou hast wronged in the time o'erpast;</li>
  <li>For I myself have many tears to wash</li>
  <li>Hereafter time, for time past wrong'd by thee.</li>
  <li class="number">The children live, whose parents thou hast</li>
  <li>slaughter'd,</li>
  <li>Ungovern'd youth, to wail it in their age;</li>
  <li>The parents live, whose children thou hast butcher'd,</li>
  <li>Old wither'd plants, to wail it with their age.</li>
  <li class="number">Swear not by time to come; for that thou hast</li>
  <li>Misused ere used, by time misused o'erpast.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>As I intend to prosper and repent,</li>
  <li>So thrive I in my dangerous attempt</li>
  <li>Of hostile arms! myself myself confound!</li>
  <li class="number">Heaven and fortune bar me happy hours!</li>
  <li>Day, yield me not thy light; nor, night, thy rest!</li>
  <li>Be opposite all planets of good luck</li>
  <li>To my proceedings, if, with pure heart's love,</li>
  <li>Immaculate devotion, holy thoughts,</li>
  <li class="number">I tender not thy beauteous princely daughter!</li>
  <li>In her consists my happiness and thine;</li>
  <li>Without her, follows to this land and me,</li>
  <li>To thee, herself, and many a Christian soul,</li>
  <li>Death, desolation, ruin and decay:</li>
  <li class="number">It cannot be avoided but by this;</li>
  <li>It will not be avoided but by this.</li>
  <li>Therefore, good mother —  I must can you so — </li>
  <li>Be the attorney of my love to her:</li>
  <li>Plead what I will be, not what I have been;</li>
  <li class="number">Not my deserts, but what I will deserve:</li>
  <li>Urge the necessity and state of times,</li>
  <li>And be not peevish-fond in great designs.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Shall I be tempted of the devil thus?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Ay, if the devil tempt thee to do good.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li class="number">Shall I forget myself to be myself?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Ay, if yourself's remembrance wrong yourself.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>But thou didst kill my children.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>But in your daughter's womb I bury them:</li>
  <li>Where in that nest of spicery they shall breed</li>
  <li class="number">Selves of themselves, to your recomforture.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Shall I go win my daughter to thy will?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>And be a happy mother by the deed.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>I go. Write to me very shortly.</li>
  <li>And you shall understand from me her mind.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Bear her my true love's kiss; and so, farewell.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit QUEEN ELIZABETH</li>
  <li>Relenting fool, and shallow, changing woman!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter RATCLIFF; CATESBY following</li>
  <li>How now! what news?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>My gracious sovereign, on the western coast</li>
  <li>Rideth a puissant navy; to the shore</li>
  <li class="number">Throng many doubtful hollow-hearted friends,</li>
  <li>Unarm'd, and unresolved to beat them back:</li>
  <li>'Tis thought that Richmond is their admiral;</li>
  <li>And there they hull, expecting but the aid</li>
  <li>Of Buckingham to welcome them ashore.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Some light-foot friend post to the Duke of Norfolk:</li>
  <li>Ratcliff, thyself, or Catesby; where is he?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>Here, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Fly to the duke:</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>Post thou to Salisbury</li>
  <li class="number">When thou comest thither — </li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To CATESBY</li>
  <li>Dull, unmindful villain,</li>
  <li>Why stand'st thou still, and go'st not to the duke?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>First, mighty sovereign, let me know your mind,</li>
  <li>What from your grace I shall deliver to him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">O, true, good Catesby: bid him levy straight</li>
  <li>The greatest strength and power he can make,</li>
  <li>And meet me presently at Salisbury.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>I go.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>What is't your highness' pleasure I shall do at</li>
  <li class="number">Salisbury?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Why, what wouldst thou do there before I go?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>Your highness told me I should post before.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>My mind is changed, sir, my mind is changed.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter STANLEY</li>
  <li>How now, what news with you?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li class="number">None good, my lord, to please you with the hearing;</li>
  <li>Nor none so bad, but it may well be told.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Hoyday, a riddle! neither good nor bad!</li>
  <li>Why dost thou run so many mile about,</li>
  <li>When thou mayst tell thy tale a nearer way?</li>
  <li class="number">Once more, what news?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li>Richmond is on the seas.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>There let him sink, and be the seas on him!</li>
  <li>White-liver'd runagate, what doth he there?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li>I know not, mighty sovereign, but by guess.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Well, sir, as you guess, as you guess?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li>Stirr'd up by Dorset, Buckingham, and Ely,</li>
  <li>He makes for England, there to claim the crown.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Is the chair empty? is the sword unsway'd?</li>
  <li>Is the king dead? the empire unpossess'd?</li>
  <li class="number">What heir of York is there alive but we?</li>
  <li>And who is England's king but great York's heir?</li>
  <li>Then, tell me, what doth he upon the sea?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li>Unless for that, my liege, I cannot guess.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Unless for that he comes to be your liege,</li>
  <li class="number">You cannot guess wherefore the Welshman comes.</li>
  <li>Thou wilt revolt, and fly to him, I fear.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li>No, mighty liege; therefore mistrust me not.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Where is thy power, then, to beat him back?</li>
  <li>Where are thy tenants and thy followers?</li>
  <li class="number">Are they not now upon the western shore.</li>
  <li>Safe-conducting the rebels from their ships!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li>No, my good lord, my friends are in the north.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Cold friends to Richard: what do they in the north,</li>
  <li>When they should serve their sovereign in the west?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li class="number">They have not been commanded, mighty sovereign:</li>
  <li>Please it your majesty to give me leave,</li>
  <li>I'll muster up my friends, and meet your grace</li>
  <li>Where and what time your majesty shall please.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Ay, ay. thou wouldst be gone to join with Richmond:</li>
  <li class="number">I will not trust you, sir.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li>Most mighty sovereign,</li>
  <li>You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful:</li>
  <li>I never was nor never will be false.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Well,</li>
  <li class="number">Go muster men; but, hear you, leave behind</li>
  <li>Your son, George Stanley: look your faith be firm.</li>
  <li>Or else his head's assurance is but frail.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">STANLEY</li>
  <li>So deal with him as I prove true to you.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter a Messenger</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li>My gracious sovereign, now in Devonshire,</li>
  <li class="number">As I by friends am well advertised,</li>
  <li>Sir Edward Courtney, and the haughty prelate</li>
  <li>Bishop of Exeter, his brother there,</li>
  <li>With many more confederates, are in arms.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter another Messenger</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Second Messenger</li>
  <li>My liege, in Kent the Guildfords are in arms;</li>
  <li class="number">And every hour more competitors</li>
  <li>Flock to their aid, and still their power increaseth.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter another Messenger</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Messenger</li>
  <li>My lord, the army of the Duke of Buckingham — </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Out on you, owls! nothing but songs of death?</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">He striketh him</li>
  <li>Take that, until thou bring me better news.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Messenger</li>
  <li class="number">The news I have to tell your majesty</li>
  <li>Is, that by sudden floods and fall of waters,</li>
  <li>Buckingham's army is dispersed and scatter'd;</li>
  <li>And he himself wander'd away alone,</li>
  <li>No man knows whither.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">I cry thee mercy:</li>
  <li>There is my purse to cure that blow of thine.</li>
  <li>Hath any well-advised friend proclaim'd</li>
  <li>Reward to him that brings the traitor in?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Third Messenger</li>
  <li>Such proclamation hath been made, my liege.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter another Messenger</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Fourth Messenger</li>
  <li class="number">Sir Thomas Lovel and Lord Marquis Dorset,</li>
  <li>'Tis said, my liege, in Yorkshire are in arms.</li>
  <li>Yet this good comfort bring I to your grace,</li>
  <li>The Breton navy is dispersed by tempest:</li>
  <li>Richmond, in Yorkshire, sent out a boat</li>
  <li class="number">Unto the shore, to ask those on the banks</li>
  <li>If they were his assistants, yea or no;</li>
  <li>Who answer'd him, they came from Buckingham.</li>
  <li>Upon his party: he, mistrusting them,</li>
  <li>Hoisted sail and made away for Brittany.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">March on, march on, since we are up in arms;</li>
  <li>If not to fight with foreign enemies,</li>
  <li>Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Re-enter CATESBY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>My liege, the Duke of Buckingham is taken;</li>
  <li>That is the best news: that the Earl of Richmond</li>
  <li class="number">Is with a mighty power landed at Milford,</li>
  <li>Is colder tidings, yet they must be told.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Away towards Salisbury! while we reason here,</li>
  <li>A royal battle might be won and lost</li>
  <li>Some one take order Buckingham be brought</li>
  <li class="number">To Salisbury; the rest march on with me.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Flourish. Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE V.  Lord Derby's house.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter DERBY and SIR CHRISTOPHER URSWICK</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li>Sir Christopher, tell Richmond this from me:</li>
  <li>That in the sty of this most bloody boar</li>
  <li>My son George Stanley is frank'd up in hold:</li>
  <li>If I revolt, off goes young George's head;</li>
  <li class="number">The fear of that withholds my present aid.</li>
  <li>But, tell me, where is princely Richmond now?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CHRISTOPHER</li>
  <li>At Pembroke, or at Harford-west, in Wales.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li>What men of name resort to him?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CHRISTOPHER</li>
  <li>Sir Walter Herbert, a renowned soldier;</li>
  <li class="number">Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir William Stanley;</li>
  <li>Oxford, redoubted Pembroke, Sir James Blunt,</li>
  <li>And Rice ap Thomas with a valiant crew;</li>
  <li>And many more of noble fame and worth:</li>
  <li>And towards London they do bend their course,</li>
  <li class="number">If by the way they be not fought withal.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li>Return unto thy lord; commend me to him:</li>
  <li>Tell him the queen hath heartily consented</li>
  <li>He shall espouse Elizabeth her daughter.</li>
  <li>These letters will resolve him of my mind. Farewell.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

</section>

<section class="act">

<h2>ACT V</h2>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE I.  Salisbury. An open place.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Sheriff, and BUCKINGHAM, with halberds,
led to execution</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Will not King Richard let me speak with him?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Sheriff</li>
  <li>No, my good lord; therefore be patient.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Hastings, and Edward's children, Rivers, Grey,</li>
  <li>Holy King Henry, and thy fair son Edward,</li>
  <li class="number">Vaughan, and all that have miscarried</li>
  <li>By underhand corrupted foul injustice,</li>
  <li>If that your moody discontented souls</li>
  <li>Do through the clouds behold this present hour,</li>
  <li>Even for revenge mock my destruction!</li>
  <li class="number">This is All-Souls' day, fellows, is it not?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Sheriff</li>
  <li>It is, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>Why, then All-Souls' day is my body's doomsday.</li>
  <li>This is the day that, in King Edward's time,</li>
  <li>I wish't might fall on me, when I was found</li>
  <li class="number">False to his children or his wife's allies</li>
  <li>This is the day wherein I wish'd to fall</li>
  <li>By the false faith of him I trusted most;</li>
  <li>This, this All-Souls' day to my fearful soul</li>
  <li>Is the determined respite of my wrongs:</li>
  <li class="number">That high All-Seer that I dallied with</li>
  <li>Hath turn'd my feigned prayer on my head</li>
  <li>And given in earnest what I begg'd in jest.</li>
  <li>Thus doth he force the swords of wicked men</li>
  <li>To turn their own points on their masters' bosoms:</li>
  <li class="number">Now Margaret's curse is fallen upon my head;</li>
  <li>'When he,' quoth she, 'shall split thy heart with sorrow,</li>
  <li>Remember Margaret was a prophetess.'</li>
  <li>Come, sirs, convey me to the block of shame;</li>
  <li>Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE II.  The camp near Tamworth.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter RICHMOND, OXFORD, BLUNT, HERBERT, and others,
with drum and colours</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li>Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends,</li>
  <li>Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny,</li>
  <li>Thus far into the bowels of the land</li>
  <li>Have we march'd on without impediment;</li>
  <li class="number">And here receive we from our father Stanley</li>
  <li>Lines of fair comfort and encouragement.</li>
  <li>The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar,</li>
  <li>That spoil'd your summer fields and fruitful vines,</li>
  <li>Swills your warm blood like wash, and makes his trough</li>
  <li class="number">In your embowell'd bosoms, this foul swine</li>
  <li>Lies now even in the centre of this isle,</li>
  <li>Near to the town of Leicester, as we learn</li>
  <li>From Tamworth thither is but one day's march.</li>
  <li>In God's name, cheerly on, courageous friends,</li>
  <li class="number">To reap the harvest of perpetual peace</li>
  <li>By this one bloody trial of sharp war.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">OXFORD</li>
  <li>Every man's conscience is a thousand swords,</li>
  <li>To fight against that bloody homicide.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">HERBERT</li>
  <li>I doubt not but his friends will fly to us.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BLUNT</li>
  <li class="number">He hath no friends but who are friends for fear.</li>
  <li>Which in his greatest need will shrink from him.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li>All for our vantage. Then, in God's name, march:</li>
  <li>True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings:</li>
  <li>Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE III.  Bosworth Field.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter KING RICHARD III in arms, with NORFOLK,
SURREY, and others</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Here pitch our tents, even here in Bosworth field.</li>
  <li>My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">SURREY</li>
  <li>My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>My Lord of Norfolk —  </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORFOLK</li>
  <li class="number">Here, most gracious liege.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORFOLK</li>
  <li>We must both give and take, my gracious lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Up with my tent there! here will I lie tonight;</li>
  <li>But where to-morrow?  Well, all's one for that.</li>
  <li class="number">Who hath descried the number of the foe?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORFOLK</li>
  <li>Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Why, our battalion trebles that account:</li>
  <li>Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength,</li>
  <li>Which they upon the adverse party want.</li>
  <li class="number">Up with my tent there! Valiant gentlemen,</li>
  <li>Let us survey the vantage of the field</li>
  <li>Call for some men of sound direction</li>
  <li>Let's want no discipline, make no delay,</li>
  <li>For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter, on the other side of the field, RICHMOND,
Sir William Brandon, OXFORD, and others. Some of
the Soldiers pitch RICHMOND's tent</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li class="number">The weary sun hath made a golden set,</li>
  <li>And by the bright track of his fiery car,</li>
  <li>Gives signal, of a goodly day to-morrow.</li>
  <li>Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard.</li>
  <li>Give me some ink and paper in my tent</li>
  <li class="number">I'll draw the form and model of our battle,</li>
  <li>Limit each leader to his several charge,</li>
  <li>And part in just proportion our small strength.</li>
  <li>My Lord of Oxford, you, Sir William Brandon,</li>
  <li>And you, Sir Walter Herbert, stay with me.</li>
  <li class="number">The Earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment:</li>
  <li>Good Captain Blunt, bear my good night to him</li>
  <li>And by the second hour in the morning</li>
  <li>Desire the earl to see me in my tent:</li>
  <li>Yet one thing more, good Blunt, before thou go'st,</li>
  <li class="number">Where is Lord Stanley quarter'd, dost thou know?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BLUNT</li>
  <li>Unless I have mista'en his colours much,</li>
  <li>Which well I am assured I have not done,</li>
  <li>His regiment lies half a mile at least</li>
  <li>South from the mighty power of the king.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li class="number">If without peril it be possible,</li>
  <li>Good Captain Blunt, bear my good-night to him,</li>
  <li>And give him from me this most needful scroll.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">BLUNT</li>
  <li>Upon my life, my lord, I'll under-take it;</li>
  <li>And so, God give you quiet rest to-night!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li class="number">Good night, good Captain Blunt. Come gentlemen,</li>
  <li>Let us consult upon to-morrow's business</li>
  <li>In to our tent; the air is raw and cold.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">They withdraw into the tent</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter, to his tent, KING RICHARD III, NORFOLK,
RATCLIFF, CATESBY, and others</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>What is't o'clock?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>It's supper-time, my lord;</li>
  <li class="number">It's nine o'clock.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>I will not sup to-night.</li>
  <li>Give me some ink and paper.</li>
  <li>What, is my beaver easier than it was?</li>
  <li>And all my armour laid into my tent?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li class="number">If is, my liege; and all things are in readiness.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge;</li>
  <li>Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORFOLK</li>
  <li>I go, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORFOLK</li>
  <li class="number">I warrant you, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exit</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Catesby!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>My lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Send out a pursuivant at arms</li>
  <li>To Stanley's regiment; bid him bring his power</li>
  <li class="number">Before sunrising, lest his son George fall</li>
  <li>Into the blind cave of eternal night.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exit CATESBY</li>
  <li>Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch.</li>
  <li>Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow.</li>
  <li>Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy.</li>
  <li class="number">Ratcliff!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>My lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>Thomas the Earl of Surrey, and himself,</li>
  <li>Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop</li>
  <li class="number">Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>So, I am satisfied. Give me a bowl of wine:</li>
  <li>I have not that alacrity of spirit,</li>
  <li>Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have.</li>
  <li>Set it down. Is ink and paper ready?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li class="number">It is, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Bid my guard watch; leave me.</li>
  <li>Ratcliff, about the mid of night come to my tent</li>
  <li>And help to arm me. Leave me, I say.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt RATCLIFF and the other Attendants</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter DERBY to RICHMOND in his tent, Lords and
others attending</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li>Fortune and victory sit on thy helm!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li class="number">All comfort that the dark night can afford</li>
  <li>Be to thy person, noble father-in-law!</li>
  <li>Tell me, how fares our loving mother?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li>I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother</li>
  <li>Who prays continually for Richmond's good:</li>
  <li class="number">So much for that. The silent hours steal on,</li>
  <li>And flaky darkness breaks within the east.</li>
  <li>In brief —  for so the season bids us be —  </li>
  <li>Prepare thy battle early in the morning,</li>
  <li>And put thy fortune to the arbitrement</li>
  <li class="number">Of bloody strokes and mortal-staring war.</li>
  <li>I, as I may — that which I would I cannot —  </li>
  <li>With best advantage will deceive the time,</li>
  <li>And aid thee in this doubtful shock of arms:</li>
  <li>But on thy side I may not be too forward</li>
  <li class="number">Lest, being seen, thy brother, tender George,</li>
  <li>Be executed in his father's sight.</li>
  <li>Farewell: the leisure and the fearful time</li>
  <li>Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love</li>
  <li>And ample interchange of sweet discourse,</li>
  <li class="number">Which so long sunder'd friends should dwell upon:</li>
  <li>God give us leisure for these rites of love!</li>
  <li>Once more, adieu: be valiant, and speed well!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li>Good lords, conduct him to his regiment:</li>
  <li>I'll strive, with troubled thoughts, to take a nap,</li>
  <li class="number">Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow,</li>
  <li>When I should mount with wings of victory:</li>
  <li>Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Exeunt all but RICHMOND</li>
  <li>O Thou, whose captain I account myself,</li>
  <li>Look on my forces with a gracious eye;</li>
  <li class="number">Put in their hands thy bruising irons of wrath,</li>
  <li>That they may crush down with a heavy fall</li>
  <li>The usurping helmets of our adversaries!</li>
  <li>Make us thy ministers of chastisement,</li>
  <li>That we may praise thee in the victory!</li>
  <li class="number">To thee I do commend my watchful soul,</li>
  <li>Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes:</li>
  <li>Sleeping and waking, O, defend me still!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Sleeps</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Ghost of Prince Edward, son to King Henry VI</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Ghost of Prince Edward</li>
  <li>To KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow!</li>
  <li class="number">Think, how thou stab'dst me in my prime of youth</li>
  <li>At Tewksbury: despair, therefore, and die!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To RICHMOND</li>
  <li>Be cheerful, Richmond; for the wronged souls</li>
  <li>Of butcher'd princes fight in thy behalf</li>
  <li>King Henry's issue, Richmond, comforts thee.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Ghost of King Henry VI</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Ghost of King Henry VI</li>
  <li class="number">To KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>When I was mortal, my anointed body</li>
  <li>By thee was punched full of deadly holes</li>
  <li>Think on the Tower and me: despair, and die!</li>
  <li>Harry the Sixth bids thee despair, and die!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To RICHMOND</li>
  <li class="number">Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror!</li>
  <li>Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be king,</li>
  <li>Doth comfort thee in thy sleep: live, and flourish!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Ghost of CLARENCE</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Ghost of CLARENCE</li>
  <li>To KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow!</li>
  <li class="number">I, that was wash'd to death with fulsome wine,</li>
  <li>Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death!</li>
  <li>To-morrow in the battle think on me,</li>
  <li>And fall thy edgeless sword: despair, and die! — </li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To RICHMOND</li>
  <li>Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster</li>
  <li class="number">The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee</li>
  <li>Good angels guard thy battle! live, and flourish!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Ghosts of RIVERS, GRAY, and VAUGHAN</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Ghost of RIVERS</li>
  <li>To KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow,</li>
  <li>Rivers. that died at Pomfret! despair, and die!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Ghost of GREY</li>
  <li class="number">To KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Ghost of VAUGHAN</li>
  <li>To KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Think upon Vaughan, and, with guilty fear,</li>
  <li>Let fall thy lance: despair, and die!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">All</li>
  <li class="number">To RICHMOND</li>
  <li>Awake, and think our wrongs in Richard's bosom</li>
  <li>Will conquer him! awake, and win the day!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Ghost of HASTINGS</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Ghost of HASTINGS</li>
  <li>To KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake,</li>
  <li class="number">And in a bloody battle end thy days!</li>
  <li>Think on Lord Hastings: despair, and die!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To RICHMOND</li>
  <li>Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake!</li>
  <li>Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England's sake!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Ghosts of the two young Princes</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Ghosts of young Princes</li>
  <li>To KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">Dream on thy cousins smother'd in the Tower:</li>
  <li>Let us be led within thy bosom, Richard,</li>
  <li>And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death!</li>
  <li>Thy nephews' souls bid thee despair and die!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To RICHMOND</li>
  <li>Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace, and wake in joy;</li>
  <li class="number">Good angels guard thee from the boar's annoy!</li>
  <li>Live, and beget a happy race of kings!</li>
  <li>Edward's unhappy sons do bid thee flourish.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Ghost of LADY ANNE</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Ghost of LADY ANNE</li>
  <li>To KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife,</li>
  <li class="number">That never slept a quiet hour with thee,</li>
  <li>Now fills thy sleep with perturbations</li>
  <li>To-morrow in the battle think on me,</li>
  <li>And fall thy edgeless sword: despair, and die!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To RICHMOND</li>
  <li>Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep</li>
  <li class="number">Dream of success and happy victory!</li>
  <li>Thy adversary's wife doth pray for thee.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Ghost of BUCKINGHAM</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Ghost of BUCKINGHAM</li>
  <li>To KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>The last was I that helped thee to the crown;</li>
  <li>The last was I that felt thy tyranny:</li>
  <li class="number">O, in the battle think on Buckingham,</li>
  <li>And die in terror of thy guiltiness!</li>
  <li>Dream on, dream on, of bloody deeds and death:</li>
  <li>Fainting, despair; despairing, yield thy breath!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">To RICHMOND</li>
  <li>I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid:</li>
  <li class="number">But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismay'd:</li>
  <li>God and good angel fight on Richmond's side;</li>
  <li>And Richard falls in height of all his pride.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">The Ghosts vanish</div>

<div class="stage-direction">KING RICHARD III starts out of his dream</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Give me another horse: bind up my wounds.</li>
  <li>Have mercy, Jesu! — Soft! I did but dream.</li>
  <li class="number">O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!</li>
  <li>The lights burn blue. It is now dead midnight.</li>
  <li>Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh.</li>
  <li>What do I fear?  myself?  there's none else by:</li>
  <li>Richard loves Richard; that is, I am I.</li>
  <li class="number">Is there a murderer here?  No. Yes, I am:</li>
  <li>Then fly. What, from myself?   Great reason why:</li>
  <li>Lest I revenge. What, myself upon myself?</li>
  <li>Alack. I love myself. Wherefore?  for any good</li>
  <li>That I myself have done unto myself?</li>
  <li class="number">O, no! alas, I rather hate myself</li>
  <li>For hateful deeds committed by myself!</li>
  <li>I am a villain: yet I lie. I am not.</li>
  <li>Fool, of thyself speak well: fool, do not flatter.</li>
  <li>My conscience hath a thousand several tongues,</li>
  <li class="number">And every tongue brings in a several tale,</li>
  <li>And every tale condemns me for a villain.</li>
  <li>Perjury, perjury, in the high'st degree</li>
  <li>Murder, stem murder, in the direst degree;</li>
  <li>All several sins, all used in each degree,</li>
  <li class="number">Throng to the bar, crying all, Guilty! guilty!</li>
  <li>I shall despair. There is no creature loves me;</li>
  <li>And if I die, no soul shall pity me:</li>
  <li>Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself</li>
  <li>Find in myself no pity to myself?</li>
  <li class="number">Methought the souls of all that I had murder'd</li>
  <li>Came to my tent; and every one did threat</li>
  <li>To-morrow's vengeance on the head of Richard.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter RATCLIFF</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>My lord!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>'Zounds! who is there?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li class="number">Ratcliff, my lord; 'tis I. The early village-cock</li>
  <li>Hath twice done salutation to the morn;</li>
  <li>Your friends are up, and buckle on their armour.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>O Ratcliff, I have dream'd a fearful dream!</li>
  <li>What thinkest thou, will our friends prove all true?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li class="number">No doubt, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>O Ratcliff, I fear, I fear —  </li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>Nay, good my lord, be not afraid of shadows.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>By the apostle Paul, shadows to-night</li>
  <li>Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard</li>
  <li class="number">Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers</li>
  <li>Armed in proof, and led by shallow Richmond.</li>
  <li>It is not yet near day. Come, go with me;</li>
  <li>Under our tents I'll play the eaves-dropper,</li>
  <li>To see if any mean to shrink from me.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter the Lords to RICHMOND, sitting in his tent</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LORDS</li>
  <li class="number">Good morrow, Richmond!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li>Cry mercy, lords and watchful gentlemen,</li>
  <li>That you have ta'en a tardy sluggard here.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LORDS</li>
  <li>How have you slept, my lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li>The sweetest sleep, and fairest-boding dreams</li>
  <li class="number">That ever enter'd in a drowsy head,</li>
  <li>Have I since your departure had, my lords.</li>
  <li>Methought their souls, whose bodies Richard murder'd,</li>
  <li>Came to my tent, and cried on victory:</li>
  <li>I promise you, my soul is very jocund</li>
  <li class="number">In the remembrance of so fair a dream.</li>
  <li>How far into the morning is it, lords?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">LORDS</li>
  <li>Upon the stroke of four.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li>Why, then 'tis time to arm and give direction.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">His oration to his soldiers</li>
  <li>More than I have said, loving countrymen,</li>
  <li class="number">The leisure and enforcement of the time</li>
  <li>Forbids to dwell upon: yet remember this,</li>
  <li>God and our good cause fight upon our side;</li>
  <li>The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls,</li>
  <li>Like high-rear'd bulwarks, stand before our faces;</li>
  <li class="number">Richard except, those whom we fight against</li>
  <li>Had rather have us win than him they follow:</li>
  <li>For what is he they follow?  truly, gentlemen,</li>
  <li>A bloody tyrant and a homicide;</li>
  <li>One raised in blood, and one in blood establish'd;</li>
  <li class="number">One that made means to come by what he hath,</li>
  <li>And slaughter'd those that were the means to help him;</li>
  <li>Abase foul stone, made precious by the foil</li>
  <li>Of England's chair, where he is falsely set;</li>
  <li>One that hath ever been God's enemy:</li>
  <li class="number">Then, if you fight against God's enemy,</li>
  <li>God will in justice ward you as his soldiers;</li>
  <li>If you do sweat to put a tyrant down,</li>
  <li>You sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain;</li>
  <li>If you do fight against your country's foes,</li>
  <li class="number">Your country's fat shall pay your pains the hire;</li>
  <li>If you do fight in safeguard of your wives,</li>
  <li>Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors;</li>
  <li>If you do free your children from the sword,</li>
  <li>Your children's children quit it in your age.</li>
  <li class="number">Then, in the name of God and all these rights,</li>
  <li>Advance your standards, draw your willing swords.</li>
  <li>For me, the ransom of my bold attempt</li>
  <li>Shall be this cold corpse on the earth's cold face;</li>
  <li>But if I thrive, the gain of my attempt</li>
  <li class="number">The least of you shall share his part thereof.</li>
  <li>Sound drums and trumpets boldly and cheerfully;</li>
  <li>God and Saint George! Richmond and victory!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

<div class="stage-direction">Re-enter KING RICHARD, RATCLIFF, Attendants
and Forces</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>What said Northumberland as touching Richmond?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>That he was never trained up in arms.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">He said the truth: and what said Surrey then?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>He smiled and said 'The better for our purpose.'</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>He was in the right; and so indeed it is.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Clock striketh</li>
  <li>Ten the clock there. Give me a calendar.</li>
  <li>Who saw the sun to-day?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li class="number">Not I, my lord.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Then he disdains to shine; for by the book</li>
  <li>He should have braved the east an hour ago</li>
  <li>A black day will it be to somebody. Ratcliff!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RATCLIFF</li>
  <li>My lord?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li class="number">The sun will not be seen to-day;</li>
  <li>The sky doth frown and lour upon our army.</li>
  <li>I would these dewy tears were from the ground.</li>
  <li>Not shine to-day! Why, what is that to me</li>
  <li>More than to Richmond?  for the selfsame heaven</li>
  <li class="number">That frowns on me looks sadly upon him.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Enter NORFOLK</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORFOLK</li>
  <li>Arm, arm, my lord; the foe vaunts in the field.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Come, bustle, bustle; caparison my horse.</li>
  <li>Call up Lord Stanley, bid him bring his power:</li>
  <li>I will lead forth my soldiers to the plain,</li>
  <li class="number">And thus my battle shall be ordered:</li>
  <li>My foreward shall be drawn out all in length,</li>
  <li>Consisting equally of horse and foot;</li>
  <li>Our archers shall be placed in the midst</li>
  <li>John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Surrey,</li>
  <li class="number">Shall have the leading of this foot and horse.</li>
  <li>They thus directed, we will follow</li>
  <li>In the main battle, whose puissance on either side</li>
  <li>Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse.</li>
  <li>This, and Saint George to boot! What think'st thou, Norfolk?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORFOLK</li>
  <li class="number">A good direction, warlike sovereign.</li>
  <li>This found I on my tent this morning.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">He sheweth him a paper</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Reads</li>
  <li>'Jockey of Norfolk, be not too bold,</li>
  <li>For Dickon thy master is bought and sold.'</li>
  <li class="number">A thing devised by the enemy.</li>
  <li>Go, gentleman, every man unto his charge</li>
  <li>Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls:</li>
  <li>Conscience is but a word that cowards use,</li>
  <li>Devised at first to keep the strong in awe:</li>
  <li class="number">Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law.</li>
  <li>March on, join bravely, let us to't pell-mell</li>
  <li>If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">His oration to his Army</li>
  <li>What shall I say more than I have inferr'd?</li>
  <li>Remember whom you are to cope withal;</li>
  <li class="number">A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways,</li>
  <li>A scum of Bretons, and base lackey peasants,</li>
  <li>Whom their o'er-cloyed country vomits forth</li>
  <li>To desperate ventures and assured destruction.</li>
  <li>You sleeping safe, they bring to you unrest;</li>
  <li class="number">You having lands, and blest with beauteous wives,</li>
  <li>They would restrain the one, distain the other.</li>
  <li>And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow,</li>
  <li>Long kept in Bretagne at our mother's cost?</li>
  <li>A milk-sop, one that never in his life</li>
  <li class="number">Felt so much cold as over shoes in snow?</li>
  <li>Let's whip these stragglers o'er the seas again;</li>
  <li>Lash hence these overweening rags of France,</li>
  <li>These famish'd beggars, weary of their lives;</li>
  <li>Who, but for dreaming on this fond exploit,</li>
  <li class="number">For want of means, poor rats, had hang'd themselves:</li>
  <li>If we be conquer'd, let men conquer us,</li>
  <li>And not these bastard Bretons; whom our fathers</li>
  <li>Have in their own land beaten, bobb'd, and thump'd,</li>
  <li>And in record, left them the heirs of shame.</li>
  <li class="number">Shall these enjoy our lands?  lie with our wives?</li>
  <li>Ravish our daughters?</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Drum afar off</li>
  <li>Hark! I hear their drum.</li>
  <li>Fight, gentlemen of England! fight, bold yoemen!</li>
  <li>Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head!</li>
  <li class="number">Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood;</li>
  <li>Amaze the welkin with your broken staves!</li>
  <li class="stage-direction">Enter a Messenger</li>
  <li>What says Lord Stanley? will he bring his power?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">Messenger</li>
  <li>My lord, he doth deny to come.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Off with his son George's head!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">NORFOLK</li>
  <li class="number">My lord, the enemy is past the marsh</li>
  <li>After the battle let George Stanley die.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>A thousand hearts are great within my bosom:</li>
  <li>Advance our standards, set upon our foes</li>
  <li>Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George,</li>
  <li class="number">Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons!</li>
  <li>Upon them! victory sits on our helms.</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE IV.  Another part of the field.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Alarum: excursions. Enter NORFOLK and forces
fighting; to him CATESBY</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>Rescue, my Lord of Norfolk, rescue, rescue!</li>
  <li>The king enacts more wonders than a man,</li>
  <li>Daring an opposite to every danger:</li>
  <li>His horse is slain, and all on foot he fights,</li>
  <li class="number">Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death.</li>
  <li>Rescue, fair lord, or else the day is lost!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Alarums. Enter KING RICHARD III</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">CATESBY</li>
  <li>Withdraw, my lord; I'll help you to a horse.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">KING RICHARD III</li>
  <li>Slave, I have set my life upon a cast,</li>
  <li class="number">And I will stand the hazard of the die:</li>
  <li>I think there be six Richmonds in the field;</li>
  <li>Five have I slain to-day instead of him.</li>
  <li>A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

<section class="scene">

<h3>SCENE V.  Another part of the field.</h3>

<div class="stage-direction">Alarum. Enter KING RICHARD III and RICHMOND; they
fight. KING RICHARD III is slain. Retreat and
flourish. Re-enter RICHMOND, DERBY bearing the
crown, with divers other Lords</div>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li>God and your arms be praised, victorious friends,</li>
  <li>The day is ours, the bloody dog is dead.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li>Courageous Richmond, well hast thou acquit thee.</li>
  <li>Lo, here, this long-usurped royalty</li>
  <li class="number">From the dead temples of this bloody wretch</li>
  <li>Have I pluck'd off, to grace thy brows withal:</li>
  <li>Wear it, enjoy it, and make much of it.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li>Great God of heaven, say Amen to all!</li>
  <li>But, tell me, is young George Stanley living?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li class="number">He is, my lord, and safe in Leicester town;</li>
  <li>Whither, if it please you, we may now withdraw us.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li>What men of name are slain on either side?</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">DERBY</li>
  <li>John Duke of Norfolk, Walter Lord Ferrers,</li>
  <li>Sir Robert Brakenbury, and Sir William Brandon.</li>
</ol>

<ol class="speech">
  <li class="speaker">RICHMOND</li>
  <li class="number">Inter their bodies as becomes their births:</li>
  <li>Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fled</li>
  <li>That in submission will return to us:</li>
  <li>And then, as we have ta'en the sacrament,</li>
  <li>We will unite the white rose and the red:</li>
  <li class="number">Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction,</li>
  <li>That long have frown'd upon their enmity!</li>
  <li>What traitor hears me, and says not amen?</li>
  <li>England hath long been mad, and scarr'd herself;</li>
  <li>The brother blindly shed the brother's blood,</li>
  <li class="number">The father rashly slaughter'd his own son,</li>
  <li>The son, compell'd, been butcher to the sire:</li>
  <li>All this divided York and Lancaster,</li>
  <li>Divided in their dire division,</li>
  <li>O, now, let Richmond and Elizabeth,</li>
  <li class="number">The true succeeders of each royal house,</li>
  <li>By God's fair ordinance conjoin together!</li>
  <li>And let their heirs, God, if thy will be so.</li>
  <li>Enrich the time to come with smooth-faced peace,</li>
  <li>With smiling plenty and fair prosperous days!</li>
  <li class="number">Abate the edge of traitors, gracious Lord,</li>
  <li>That would reduce these bloody days again,</li>
  <li>And make poor England weep in streams of blood!</li>
  <li>Let them not live to taste this land's increase</li>
  <li>That would with treason wound this fair land's peace!</li>
  <li class="number">Now civil wounds are stopp'd, peace lives again:</li>
  <li>That she may long live here, God say amen!</li>
</ol>

<div class="stage-direction">Exeunt</div>

</section>

</section>

</div>

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